Aftermath ✧ Sebastian Sallow

chapter thirty

Amelia's Perceptive

The next morning came far too quickly for my likely. When I got back to Ravenclaw's common room there were far too many people to get comfortable. 

As I entered my shared dorm, I was shocked to find Samantha asleep in her bed, dressed still in her purple gown. Amit and Everett were passed out in my bed. They must have been too drunk to be left alone. 

For a moment I considered crawling up next to Samantha with my own blanket and sharing her bed. My body was beginning to ache and craved sleep. But she wasn't the person that I'd hoped to be in a bed. 

Instead, I pulled a fresh set of clothes from my chest and made my way to the bathroom. The sun was just creasing over the horizon and there was barely a soul awake. I washed the stink of the salty lake and cherry wine off my skin in the showers, deciding cold water would be the best as my heart was still racing from the night on the dock, before changing into the thicker warm robes. 

My body was awfully tired both mentally and physically. 

I went back to my room to take more of the pain potion that was given to me before it began too much to bear again. I needed a place to rest, but my bed was full. The couches of the common area were out of the question as they had their own hangover guests claiming the area. 

Besides I wanted to be alone. 

I decided to slip one of my favorite pillows off the bed next to Amit and grab a free blanket that hadn't been claimed, making sure to leave a quick note for Samantha to know I was okay when she woke, before heading towards the Undercroft. 

At else, I could sleep there without fear of being bothered. It was warmer than normal as the bars of the gates welcomed me. I wandered to a corner of the room before setting myself up and quickly falling asleep. 

I don't dream anymore. It's a peaceful sleep as if time leaped forward.

"Good morning, darling," Sebastian's voice awoke me, "Or should I say good evening?"

It was a surprise to not hear a comment about sleeping in the Undercroft. Sebastian made a point the night before about making sure to return me back to my dorm. I thought for a moment he might have been upset to find me here. 

But instead, he didn't seem surprised. 

I sat up rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I gathered myself. Sebastian and Ominis were both there yet across the room by the basin as if they were speaking privately so that they didn't wake me. 

There was a small plate of food nearby, a few fresh fruits, and an almond croissant filling the plate. My eyes shot up toward Sebastian whose smile acknowledged the sight of the food. I smiled back thankful, but didn't want to interrupt what Ominis was speaking to him about.  

Falling asleep in my robes provided to be wise. My star-printed scarf was dirty though from the dusty floor. After a moment of considering twisting it around my neck anyway, I abandoned the idea as I felt comfortable with either of the two boys seeing the scar. 

Instead, I wrapped the blanket around my shoulders keeping the chill off me, and moved closer to them as I munched on the food. My stomach felt a bit sour from the amount of alcohol still trying to work its way out of my system. 

"I have some tea too if you'd like?" Sebastian offered as he picked up a thermos and handed it to me. 

"You don't even like tea?" I said taking the thermos from him. 

It smelt of mint and lavender, my favorite herbal tea. It would hopefully settle my stomach.

"That's why I have coffee too," Sebastian smiled picking up a second thermos, "I'm glad you are awake. I wanted to talk to you and Ominis about something."