The Sallow Saga (Volume 3) A Hogwarts Legacy Fanfiction

Chapter 6. When Reality Hits

Solomon's old grandfather clock was chiming the hour of eight, when Sebastian and Cassy apparated into the living room. Sebastian looked down at his hand, still holding on to Cassy's tightly, not quite believing that at all of this was happening to him. Cassy shyly kissed his cheek, before heading up the stairs to get dressed for a day of wizard games planning, leaving Sebastian to his thoughts.
He didn't quite know what to say or do. Sebastian knew he should be getting dressed and ready to head to the Gilded Perch and meet their friends, but he felt a sudden overwhelming need to stay home and simply wrap himself up in Cassy's embrace. He was going to be a father!

The thought filled him with both immeasurable joy and abject terror. He was going to be a father! How on earth were they going to do this, successfully?! Sebastian knew his fears were not financially related, they were paid quite well for the jobs that they conducted for Minister Spavin. No, his fears were centred directly on what kind of parents he and Cassy were going to be!

For the first time in a long time, Sebastian found himself desperately yearning to speak to his own father. His mother. Even Anne, his sister! He felt a lump form in his throat. Anyone he had considered family were gone; his parents in an experiment gone horribly wrong; Anne, courtesy of Marvolo Gaunt. The last person he'd considered as being close to a fatherly figure, Aesop Sharp, had also met an untimely end, courtesy of Ominis's brother. No sooner had the memory of Sharp's death crossed his mind, Sebastian felt his chest tighten, what if Marvolo found out Cassy was expecting?! Sebastian could think of no greater pain than that of losing both his love and his unborn child to such a murderous madman.

Sebastian was so deeply lost in his thoughts, that Cassy's gentle touch caused him to leap up with a cry. Cassy stood back, startled, blinking. Cautiously she stepped closer to him and stroked his cheek. Sebastian was mortified to discover he'd been crying.

Desperate to avoid Cassy's questioning looks, Sebastian mumbled that he needed to get ready for work, hurrying up the stairs to get dressed. He barely glanced at the clothes that he threw on, his mind so distracted. He was barely twenty minutes getting ready before he hurried down the stairs to see Cassy pulling her head back from the fireplace and sitting down comfortably on the settee. The epitome of calmness and serenity.
"Cassy, don't get too comfy, we need to get to work!" Sebastian reached out for the cup of floo powder, but it was whisked swiftly from his grasp by Cassy's summoning charm.
"Not today, my love." Cassy gently placed the cup of travelling powder down on the small side table by the settee; "today, you and I are going to discuss what just happened. I've spoken to Ominis and Natty – both of whom agreed it best we have a chat and take some time today to get our heads around what's happening now, and what's going to happen."

Sebastian shook his head, "what's there to discuss?" he shrugged, innocently; "we're going to be parents, it's wonderful news – the world isn't going to stop for our prodigy though, so we need to get to work!"
"Our prodigy?" Cassy chuckled, "Sebastian – we live in a world where we encounter the bizarre and surreal on a daily basis. Right now, however, your behaviour would make a niffler donating its golden hoard to charity, look normal!"

Sebastian folded his arms, "you're imagining things, Cass'." He rolled his arms, his heart racing as she watched him with narrowed eyes; "you're seeing things that aren't there!" He held his arms up. Cassy continued to stare him down, frankly it was a little annoying.
"Merlin's beard, Cassy! Stop it! I'm fine, you're fine, we're fine – everything is happy! Happy, happy, happy...". Even as he erupted, he could hear the hint of a deranged tone to his voice.
Cassy smirked at him, "evidently."

Sebastian glowered at her; she could be so infuriating sometimes! He considered storming out the house and apparating to the Gilded Perch, at least he'd escape the questioning looks – for all of a few hours, before returning home to more questions and pent-up aggression that had been built up by not just Cassy, but their child too. Sebastian cast a side look toward Cassy who was serenely watching him, making room on the settee next to her, inviting him to sit down, by patting the empty seat.