The Turning of Time ~ Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Sixteen

I slowly blink open my eyes. My hand is cold, and I glance to the other side of the bed and see I am alone in my room. The fireplace has gone out as well, not helping the chill that's in the air. Without any windows I don't know  what time it is. I slowly asses myself. No nausea, no pain, no fever. I seem to be completely healthy, I can't believe it. This makes zero sense. If it was the flu I should still be sick, unless? No, I must just have a good immune system. I slowly swing my legs over the bed and stand up. I see some slippers I missed yesterday and gently slide my feet into them. I walk over to the wardrobe and look inside. I  see quite a few dresses, t-shirts, pants, etc. These are not the ones from my own wardrobe back in the Gryffindor tower. The room must have provided them, I grab a set of comfy t-shirt and pants, with a light robe for warmth. I close the wardrobe and take a breath. I don't know if those two are still here, and if I even want to see them. I know I promised to be more open but this is insane. I walk over to my door and rest my hand on the doorknob, it's cool to the touch. I open the door only slightly as I look out, I see all the doors, except the bathroom are closed. But in the kitchen I can hear a serious sounding conversation. I open the door all the way and run to the bathroom, turning and slamming the door closed, quickly locking it. I am acting ridiculous, this was my room first. But for some stupid reason I feel like I'm the intruder. I turn and start going about my business. On the toilet, I fumble with the braid that Sebastian had done for me. It's still intact, hinting at the level of skill he has, all for Anne. As I take it out, I can't help but think what if I had come one year prior. If I had saved Anne earlier, would we have been less broken? Less damaged? I finish undoing my hair and shake my head gently letting my tresses go freely. At the same time shaking off the what ifs, they've done nothing but bring up my pain from the past. It's time to try and fix the future, not worry about the past. I turn on the shower and strip. As I get in and let the hot water flow down my back, I worry about the girls. I know this was an attack on me. I also don't know how much longer the school is going to keep it a secret. How much longer before someone puts the pieces together that they're after me? When it was Imelda, the connection was so slim no one would've put it together, but now? With Poppy and Natty? It's like a giant sign. I know they are going to call me for another meeting soon. I take my time in the shower, procrastinating the inevitable. After I finish and get out, I slowly dress and comb my hair. I sit on the toilet to braid my hair. I realize that my braid is not nearly as skilled as his. I laugh silently to myself as I realize he's finally beat me in something. I finish and I slowly make my way to the door and crack it open again. The doors are all still closed, but the conversation in the kitchen is done. I open the door and make my way to the kitchen. I put my hand on the doorknob, contemplating skipping this all together and going back to my room.

"I know you're there y/n, come in." Sebastian's voice is soft and controlled, but somehow empty. I push it open and take a step in. I hadn't seen the kitchen yrt, or the other bedroom for that matter. But the kitchen has a wide window nook on the left with enough room at the table and enough chairs for twelve people,  a full kitchen made from walnut against the far and right wall. A range of aromas assaults my nose, the table is fully stocked with a buffet of foods. I make my way over to the table, I see Sebastian is on one end of the table. I grab a plate and add pancakes with syrup, scrambled eggs, bacon and an orange. I head to the other end of the table and take a seat. I pour myself a cup of apple juice. I casually start to eat, neither of us breaking the palpable tension. I finish one pancake and am working on the eggs when Sebastian finally clears his throat.

"Ominis got called to a meeting about an hour ago. He said we'll probably get called in a bit as well." He isn't eating anything, only drinking what looks to be coffee. I see two plates in the sink, meaning he ate earlier. 

"I figured." I say as I take a sip of juice

"How are you feeling? You look much better today, n-not that you looked bad yesterday, except for when you got sick-" His face reddens slightly as his hand ruffles his messy wavy hair. I try not to smirk at the picture . The stuttering is an unusual sight for the normally charming Slytherin. 

"I feel much better, thank you.  It's crazy. I'm already over whatever I caught."  The silence and tension resume. I finish eating and push back my chair. Before I stand up Sebastian finally responds.

"Listen y/n, I'm sorry  for not talking to you last night." He takes a shaky breath.

"It was easy for me to ask you out in the heat of the moment yesterday. I don't regret it, not a bit.  But, then the stuff happened with the girls and I remembered that we still don't have a plan for Halloween. I-I feel helpless, like" He trails off but I know what he was  going to say. Like with Anne, this is another situation he has no control over. Even worse, no dark magic can save me. We don't even know who or what we're up against. When he doesn't say anything else, I stand up and make my way to the sink. I start to wash all the dishes, trying to avoid responding. 

"Say something." I can feel his eyes boring into my back, pleading with me.

"I don't know what to say Sebastian. You already know I have to do this. Especially after what happened with Poppy and Natty. What happens if I don't? Are they going to come after you? Ominis?" I finish with my dish and move on to the boys dishes. I refuse to look at him, afraid I'll make a promise we both know I can't keep.

"There has to be a way, please we have to try?" I know this train of thought well, I let him go down this path all of fifth year. Then he killed his uncle. I turn off the sink having finished their dishes, I set the last one on the drying rack next to the sink. 

I grip the sink. 

How do I do this? I don't want to treat him the way his family treated him, but I need to stop him, I need to stop this way of thinking. I grab the towel hanging over the edge of the cabinet. I dry my hands, getting my thoughts in order.

 I slowly turn to face him. He's looking at me, pleading with me. I toss the towel onto the counter and walk over until our feet are touching. I sink to my knees and grab his clenched fist off of his knee, smoothing it out until I can lace my fingers through it. 

"Sebastian. This is not a problem we can fix on your own." Looking at his desperate pleading eyes, I can feel my own start to well up. This man has my heart. I don't want to hurt him, but I know I will eventually. 

 "I can't promise that I won't give myself up if worse comes to worse. I can only promise that it will be a last resort. When we meet up with everyone I will force us to come up with a plan. I don't want to leave you. But I can't let what happened to Imelda, Poppy and Natty happen to anyone else. Those three were only warnings, what happens if I make them truly mad?" I caress his cheek with my free hand.

"You have to understand the position I'm in. Sebastian I care about you, more than you will ever know. But this isn't about us. I'm sorry." I let go of his cheek and hand, slowly rising to a standing position. He grabs my hand back.

"Y/n, I. I lo-" A loud coo is heard from the window, cutting Sebastian off. I let go of his hand and rush forward opening the window. I grab the note attached to it's leg and unroll it.

Dear Ms. y/ln & Mr. Sallow,

We are holding a meeting in the hospital wing. Please come down as soon as you receive this owl. 

Signed,

Professor Weasley.

I pass the note to Sebastian, he reads it quickly and stands up, now towering over me. I tilt my head up to  meet his eyes, they hold so much pain.

"I can't promise you forever Sebastian, but I can promise you now. I'm sorry my life is so complicated. Maybe one day things will be different." He grabs my hand and laces his fingers with mine. Without saying anything he leans down and lightly kisses my forehead. 

We say nothing else as we walk hand in hand down to the hospital wing. 

My future hanging in the balance of this meeting.