Different Worlds

ONE - HI, I'AM SOPHIE

Sebastian's POV

I let out a deep sigh as I sat on a chair next to the fireplace. The last mission was harder than usual since I had to travel alone. Working as Curse-Breaker for Gringotts was challenging but rather fun. I simply just did the same stuff I was doing when I was in Hogwarts, exploring unknown lands and mysterious caves and dungeons, solving puzzles and breaking some curses here and there. The only thing different was that I was getting paid for it now. And not exactly badly.

I firmly grabbed the mug full of hot tea in my frozen hands. The last adventure led me to Egypt. I was sick of sand but I was already missing the warm weather since it was the beginning of winter here and freezing cold. I shut my eyes, enjoying the soft crackling sound of the fire but my peace didn't last long as a loud knocking sound snapped me out of my resting.

I put down my mug and with shuffling steps headed to the main door. But the person behind it was rather inpatient, knocking again and much more eagerly.

"Calm down, no need to break my door. I am on my way," I shouted grumpily towards the door.

Who the hell could visit me in the middle of the night?

The answer to my unspoken question was a little angry woman with piercing blue eyes. I was positive I'd never seen her before. I would definitely remember those eyes. She had to be about my age but her build made her look younger. She was about a head and a half smaller than me. Because of her petite body she might seem innocent and delicate but her look could actually kill.

"Finally, it's freezing outside. If I am not mistaken you are Sebastian?" She snapped immediately as I opened the door, her teeth were visibly chattering. She didn't even wait for my answer and after I nodded she stormed right into my house, heading towards the fireplace. Her hands were also shivering from the cold weather as she tried to warm it up over the fire. I wasn't surprised since she definitely wasn't dressed properly for a stroll in the winter.

"And you are...?" I asked her, surprised, as she sat in the same chair I was sitting just a few seconds ago, making herself comfortable.

"You know my brother, Alec," she said bluntly.

"I am afraid I don't know any Alec. I guess you are looking for some other Sebastian." I waved my hand towards the door, signalling her she should leave.

"I am almost positive, you are the correct one. Tall, crazy brown hair, freckles, living in Feldcroft," she started counting on her small fingers all the clues that the said Alec probably gave her.

"That sounds like me. But I really don't know any Alec."

"He said you're his best friend," she said perplexedly.

My best friend? I had two best friends, Ominis and...

"You mean Alexander Wallace? I didn't know he had a sister."

I looked at her more thoroughly. She had fair skin with literally zero imperfections. No beauty marks, no freckles, nothing, her skin was looking simply silky smooth. Her hair was long, straight in a blond almost white colour. Her body was small but feminine. Alex was completely opposite of her. Tall and muscular. His skin tone was more olive with few freckles on the bridge of his nose and his eyes were green with few hazel speckles. His hair short, almost black with wavy fringe. They looked nothing alike, there was no way they could be siblings.

"We grew up in the same orphanage. They brought us in the same year and he is only one year older than me so we naturally clinged to each other. He may not be brother by blood but despite that we are family," she snapped at me again, looking offended that I even dared to question their relationship.

"You are Sophie?" I breathed out, surprised.

I remembered as he told me about his past, how he grew up in an orphanage and about his friends. He usually mentioned Sophie the most but he always talked about a sweet and kind girl, not an annoying and impudent little thing who was now sitting in my chair, in my home.

"What are you doing here? And where is Alex? I thought he was visiting you, at least that's what he told me."

"That's why I am here," she sighed sadly. Her whole attitude changed in a blink of an eye. Her voice was full of worry now. "He should have arrived ten days ago. I was waiting for a few days but he didn't show up. So I traveled to the orphanage but they didn't see him either. I thought that perhaps he had to stay here because of work or something but he would send me a message. There aren't many places where he could be. The only family he had is me, our favorite aunt in the orphanage and you and Ominis. But Ominis was much harder to find," she finally explained her presence.

I was glad that she didn't try to contact Ominis first. He was living in a wizarding part of London so he could freely use his wand there. The girl before me was clearly a muggle and even though the villages around here were populated mostly by wizards, they were used to not practicing any magic in public. And it was definitely much safer here than in the city ever since Alex took care of all those goblins, Ashwinders and poachers during his time in Hogwarts.

"He is not here," I confirmed.

"Obviously." Her snide tone was back.

I ignored her snarky comment. "But he is definitely not at work either. We are working together and I had to deal with the last task alone since he wanted some free time to spend with his family."

"I hope he is okay," she said quietly more to herself than to me.

"I will go look for him tomorrow," I tried to comfort her.

"I am going with you," she informed me plainly.

"No you are not," I shook my head in disbelief.

"I am going. With you or without you," she shrugged her shoulders, giving me practically no other option than to agree.

"Aah," I frowned and rubbed my face in frustration. "Fine, you can sleep in Alex's room today. We're leaving in the morning at dawn."

As I was lying in my bed later that night I couldn't help but think about the irritating little women in the room next to mine. How am I supposed to look for Alex with her by my side? She is a muggle so I could not use magic freely whenever I wanted to, traveling around would definitely be much more complex and demanding. But I couldn't let her wander on her own, looking for him. His sudden disappearance definitely had something to do with the wizarding world and probably with his ancient magic abilities. It would be too dangerous for her. She could be dead by the end of the week and Alex would never forgive me. I was even surprise she was able to get to Feldcroft unharmed and in one piece. Going with me was still dangerous but much less than going on her own.

Of course Alex had to choose the most stubborn and obnoxious girl as his sister. He had really bad taste in people. Me being his best friend was proof all of its own.