In The Aftermath

23.

-Aria pov-

I woke up to an empty space next to me that wasn't there when I fell asleep. There was a note on the pillow next to me. My heart started racing he can't have left already, he would have told me right? He would have kissed me goodbye right? I bolt up and out of bed and searched the house. There was so sign of him anywhere. I went back to the bedroom and picked up the note to read.

My love, I know you'll be cross with me for not waking you before I leave, but I can't do that to you, I can't ruin your sleep, you looked so beautiful and at peace I couldn't bring my self to disturb you, so I leave you this. I love you so much and remember what I said to you last night, I will return to you come hell or high water. I will miss you so very much my love, my darling, my heart, my Aria. Four months is all it will take.
I love you! —Sebastian.

I balled my eyes out. Ominis came in soon after and immediately came over to me and rubbed my back.

"He- he's l-left?" I say not sure if I'm convincing him or myself.

"Yes" he said quietly.

"D-Did you hear him?" I ask still trying to wipe my tears away.

"Vaguely, only the door open and close downstairs, before I could reach it his footsteps were no more, I heard a loud crack and he disapperated" Ominis tells me.

"You should have woke me?" I say.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to disturb you" he says.

"That's what Sebastian said in his note" I say still crying. But Ominis never stopped rubbing my back. I leaned my head on his shoulder.

"I know it will hurt to have him away but I'm still here with you and hopefully we can make do and enjoy our summer, I was hoping to visit Anne if you would like to come with me maybe not today but the next time" he says.

"I'd like that" I tell him. "I'll come with you today even, just give me a few minutes to get ready and eat some breaky"

"Alright, I'll meet you downstairs when you're ready" he tells me.

I stood up from the bed and I saw something peeking out from under the bed on the floor. I picked it up and it was a green Slytherin jumper, it was Sebastian's. I held it close it to me and I smelled it, sandalwood and musk and a hint of peppermint. I cried again. I went into my room and laid on my bed. I put the jumper on over my chemise and corset and one of my skirts and boots on and I head downstairs. It was so cozy and large it covers my hands and it smells like his cologne which I found very comforting.

"I take it you're ready" Ominis said.

"Yes, I am" I say.

"What's that smell, smells like Sebastian" Ominis asks

"Oh I found one of his jumpers and I put it on" I say shyly.

"Oh okay"

"It's like he's here with us, comfort, like he's hugging me" I say sadly.

"You don't need to explain yourself to me" he tells me. He took my hand we went through the floo to the hospital. We walked to the Janice Thicky ward and to Anne's bed.

"Hello?" Ominis said.

"Ominis? Hello" Anne said cheerfully.

"Hi Anne" I said.

"Oh hi Aria" she said happily. I always admired her courage, even though she's so weak and in pain she's still so cheerful and positive. She may have been sorted Slytherin, but she could give any Gryffindor a run for their money.

"How are you Anne?" I ask her.

"Oh you know daily pain potions and reading mountains of books because what else am I to do" she said. I laugh slightly.

"Is that Sebastian's jumper?" She asked.

"Oh yes it is" I say.

"Where is he?" She asks. A lump formed in my throat I swallowed hard forcing myself to not cry again.

"He's, left for a while" I struggled to say looking down at my hands.

"Where's he gone too?" She asks.

"He's told me not to tell you much, but he's off to find a cure for you and he'll be back in a few months" I choke out. Anne grabbed my hands and patted them. Ominis started to rub my back again.

"Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear that. I can't believe he still thinks he's able to help me" Anne says.

"Don't be, he loves you a lot and he's prepared me for this he told me about it a month ago, but that didn't make it easier when he left this morning" I say having to wipe my eyes.

"Well I'm still sorry he's left. I know how much you love him, I see it all over your face, and you're wearing his jumper, I know it can't be easy for you" Anne tells me.

"Thank you, but I want to get to know you, we haven't had much time to chat" I tell her composing myself.

"Oh I know! I finally get a sister and I barely know you" she smiles at me.

"Well I'm not yet, anyway" I say.

"You're as good as, I know he'll want to marry you when he returns and then I get you call you my sister for real, but I will now anyway because you're like one too me" she says. I smile at her.

Anne and I spent so much time talking and laughing to was so nice. She told me many stories about Sebastian and Ominis from when they were young and just got to Hogwarts. She would tell me all about their parents and how they instilled both of their love for reading and learning. Ominis had stories to add to Anne's he would add his side of it and it added much to the story. I learned a lot about her and Sebastian as kids and Ominis too.

When the sun went down the mediwitches had to kick us out of the ward. We left Anne and told her we'll be back soon. She said she looks forward to seeing us again. When I got home mother had supper ready for us and we all ate, I told them about Sebastian and his quest to cure his sister. They nodded in understanding and actually father has heard of these people he's going too and hopes he finds what he's looking for. It helped me anyway because I know he's done his homework on them and I know he told me that but sometimes it's good to hear it from others as well.