The Turning of Time ~ Sebastian Sallow

Chapter One

One Week Later- Kings Cross Station

(y/n's p.o.v)

I was told that I was walking through the number 9 pillar, to reach platform 9 3/4. So I should have known they meant literally, but for some reason I still thought they meant they're would be a hidden door muggles couldn't see or something. Not literally walking into the pillar. But I did it and here I am on the famous platform 9 3/4.

As I push my trolley through the crowd onto the whistling train, I try and imagine what my life would have been like if this is where I started my Hogwarts adventure as a first year from a normal wizarding family. Pushing a trolley with a brand new trunk and wand, maybe an owl if I was lucky. Happy, nervous maybe even scared as I start at a new school. Hoping for friends and praying I'm not on the wrong side of bullies. I'd Give my mom and dad a hug and kiss goodbye, as my mom cries silently while smiling and my dad holds her hand. I'd push my way onto the train and walk up the train silently searching for either a lone car or a group that looks even slightly friendly. Finally I'd settle on a group with a pair of twins, a boy and girl with matching chestnut hair and chocolate brown eyes, that seem friendly if not a little mischievous, sitting together. And a lone shy and quiet blond boy, with unseeing eyes. I would nervously ask if the last seat was taken and the girl would happily tell me it was not. I'd wave goodbye one more time to my parents as the train pulls away. And the mischievous boy with the beautiful wavy hair would ask me if I wanted to play gobbstones.

"Hey y/n!" Poppy practically screeches as she slams into me from behind.

"Hey Poppy, long time no see" it comes out more as a groan though as my breath has still not returned to normal." We start walking towards an empty car near the middle of the train.

"Hi, it's so good to see you! I can't believe you disappeared last year, there was a rumor you died, it wasn't until I got your owl that I could relax again." She sank onto the seat as she says this.

"Sorry, it was kind of a last minute thing. I was planning on coming back, but I just needed a break." I finally finish getting my luggage put away and sit down myself.

"Is this car full" a joking voice says through the frosted glass.

"Natty! Of course not, please join us."

"It's good to see you y/n, it feels like it's been years" I giggled at her joking tone, probably the first time I've truly laughed in weeks.

Natty sat in the open seat next to Poppy. We settled into a comfortable conversation of what they did over the summer that wasn't said in letters. Eventually, they talked about the drama from over the school year. I try to stay awake and pay attention, but since I didn't have much to contribute, eventually I drift off. I don't wake for quite a few hours. By then lunch is being served.

"Hey, y/n. Wake up, what do you want for lunch?" Poppy gently shook me awake

"Hmmm, just a sandwich and an apple please. I'll be right back, I need to use the restroom." I slowly sit up and notice someone has put their robe on me, considering it is Hufflepuff yellow, I'm going to guess it is Poppy's.

"Thanks Poppy" I gently fold the robe and set it next to me in the open seat.

I get up and stretched, I can't believe I had actually slept. I hadn't felt all that tired, but I guess the nerves of coming back can do that. I slowly make my way to the back of the train, soaking in the atmosphere, since this will be my first and last train ride to Hogwarts.

"Y/n, is that you?" a deep timbre voice speaks softly behind me. His voice is quite a bit deeper than I remember, but I would know that voice anywhere.

"Sebastian." I choked. My breathing starts to pick up as I turn and look straight into his, chest? Wait, his eyes should be here. Don't tell me. I raise my eyes until I meet his shining warm chocolate eyes. He's grown, and quite a bit for it only being a year and a half. I'd say a good six or so inches, he seems to be around 6' 4" now. His gorgeous chestnut colored hair, is slightly darker and a bit curlier . It looks like it's tussled some from the train ride. His face has lost it's young teenage look, his features are more defined and dare I say it, manly. It seems he's also been working out, he's filled out quite a bit, at least from what I can see through his muggle clothes. I am shocked, I knew I was going to see him, but I had assumed in class, or the hallway. Not here, not now. I'm prepared. What do I even say.

"It's been quite a while, hasn't it? A year? Y/n?" I couldn't breathe, this absolutely could not be happening. He took one, no two steps closer. He was so close now, I could smell his cologne, something with star anise, lavender, and bergamot maybe? Something classically manly. My breathing slowed a fraction, this scent wrapped around me like a warm embrace. I looked down at my feet.

"I-i can't. Not right now. I'm sorry." I turn hastily, trying to reach the restroom. I feel a hand wrap around my elbow and is gently turned back around to face him once more.

"I've missed you, it's been lonely without you." He is practically whispering in my ear now. This flips a switch. From panicking and terrified, to a raging animal. How dare he. I spent a year without one word, no note, no letter, and he thinks he can just whisper sweet nothings in my ear and everything will be ok. No, I spent all of fifth year answering his every wish and desire. I almost destroyed myself to make him happy. Not now, not anymore.

"Oh Sebastian, Sebastian, Sebastian. I haven't missed you at all." I purr as I wrenched my arm free. A slow smirk rose to his full lips.

"Is that so, well pardon me then." Just as I gather myself enough to leave this uncomfortable situation, another face appears, she wrapped her arm around Sebastian's and grips his hand tightly, her head then rests upon his shoulder, with a smirk mirroring Sebastians, thrown in my direction. Imelda Reyes. From what I am seeing, they were, at the very least intimate, if not dating. It was this that made the switch flip back off. My emotions are too wild and too out of control. I guess physical strength is, in fact, not enough.

"Goodbye, Sebastian." I just manage to keep my voice steady. I catch a glimpse of his face as I turn for the last time in this encounter. He looks for a split second, crestfallen. I finally make my way into the bathroom. After a quick Imperturbable charm on the door to soundproof the room.

I crack.

I take a wild step back and hit the wall, I slowly slide to the ground. At first I am silent, not a sound to be made. Then I remember Imeldas face, it was one of victory, this was her revenge. For all the times I beat her in broom racing, this was her payback. Boy was she on target, she hit her mark. I could not care less about her, but I care greatly for the man she clung to. A sound between a choke and a gasp escape my lips, this released the torrent. I sob, for the first time in a year, I sob. It all came back; Professor Figs death, my decision to lock away the magic, and Sebastian, oh Sebastian. It wasn't Sebastians uncles death that bothered me, no that I understood. I was there, I know that Solomon hated Sebastian, I saw how he pushed him to that point. Don't get me wrong he didn't deserve to die, but he played a role in his passing. I tried everything I could to help Sebastian, genuinely help him. Not isolate, push him away, or treat him like a stupid kid. I loved him, I still love him, I tried not to. I really did, I saw how he was slipping. Unfortunately, I couldn't help it, when you spend that much time with someone, good or bad. You connect, deeply. Especially, since so many events almost led to death. No, I'm not mad because of Solomons death, or Sebastian slipping, or even how he treated me during the time he was slipping. No, I'm mad because I did write letters to him when I was gone. Every time I wrote a letter to Natty, Ominis, and Poppy I wrote him one. I sent every. single. one. I know I should have stopped after he didn't respond over the summer, but we had done everything together fifth year, it felt wrong not to update him, to keep him from worrying. I received nothing. I'm upset because I hoped that when I came back he would explain, that he would have a good reason as to why he didn't respond. Instead, I find out that he never loved me, he's moved on to someone else, he doesn't care about me even though I kept him out of Azkaban. I'm upset because I love the idea of Sebastian Sallow, and now I will learn the price of this love.