Aftermath ✧ Sebastian Sallow

chapter thirty-one

Twin Size Mattress by The Front Bottoms

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Winter of Sixth Year

Ominis' Perceptive

It was already three weeks since Sebastian, Amelia and I met in the Undercroft. After I left them to say their goodbyes in the Undercroft, I went straight to Feldcroft. Still in denial that Anne wasn't there. But they were correct in their assumptions. The home was still abandoned for the most part. The dust had been collecting over the months as both twins abandoned Soloman's home. 

However, Anne had been there. All of the mail that would have piled up was gone and there were fresh flowers placed on Soloman's grave outside. 

I found myself sneaking out and returning back to the small hamlet every couple of days to see if I might be lucky and find Anne home. Each time leaving behind a note for Anne. Adding to the collection of unread notes I've sent. 

It was still early in the day when I returned from another failed trip before heading to Potion's Class. I hated Potions. After believing that I just barely made it by during the fifth year, Sharp insisted that I join the elective class to prepare me for the NEWTs later. There was only one reason why I decided it was worth sticking out for the rest of the year and that was because Poppy Sweeting also hated Potions. 

Poppy and I were often partnered up being the only sixth-years in the course. She was beginning to improve in the topic since she began dating Garreth, which in return benefitted me as well. 

It was also beneficial to stock up on potions earlier in the year when preparing for the Forbidden Forest. But mostly I enjoyed having a friend to talk to during class. 

I entered late that afternoon, quickly taking my spot next to Poppy at the table, "Morning Poppy, sorry I'm late. What did I miss?"

"Sharp discussed the difficulty of brewing Veritaserum and told us that we needed to write 20-itches about its uses by the next class. Now we are brewing Wolfsbane based on last week's assignment," Poppy informed sharply.

There was something off in her tone. She was much more serious than she normally was but pushed in under her as if she was trying to hide it.

I began the beginning steps of my own Wolfsbane potion setting up next to her. She was abnormally quiet. "Are you okay? You seem upset?" I asked trying to keep my voice low from the other students. 

"I am a bit upset," Poppy confessed sharply while still tending to her potion.

"Is it something I did?" I asked flatly.

"I don't know, might be," Poppy said as she dropped her stirring spoon loudly against the desk, before lowering her voice, "Why hasn't Sebastian told Adelaide yet? It's been almost a month and I don't appreciate having to lie to my friend, Ominis."

It was easy to forget that Adelaide and Poppy were also friends. It was my fault that Poppy had even known the reality of Sebastian's affair, if I hadn't confessed to her then it might have just remained a suspicion rather than cursing her with actual knowledge. 

"We haven't talked to Amelia since the ball, neither of us. It shouldn't matter anymore, there is no relationship between them," I attempted to cover up. It did matter truthfully, but it was the best excuse I could think of.