Passionate Professors || Sebastian Sallow

Part 1 | Ch. 55 - Epilogue

Ten Months Later

July was always too hot in the Highlands. There was never enough of a breeze to cool my constantly sweat-soaked skin. I wrapped my clammy hands around a clear glass filled with melting ice and firewhisky. My father had brewed a fresh batch for me to bring to the end of summer picnic Sebastian and I were throwing at the manor. Our manor.

It was a tradition we wanted to start, to celebrate the last dregs of the unbearably warm months and welcome the next school year. We had both been asked to come back and teach again, both a surprising and unsurprising gesture by Headmaster Weasley.

After the Ministry was finally able to close the seemingly endless poisonings case and put a stop to another ancient magic thief, the Wizarding World returned to a somewhat normal pace. Sebastian resumed teaching Potions the proper way, through real brewing experience and I was able to interest a few more students in furthering their studies in the Dark Arts to become Aurors or Curse Breakers. We survived our first school year teaching at Hogwarts, even if it was by the loose seams of our robes.

"Could you hold her for me? I'm in serious need of a bathroom break." Poppy's singsong voice came from behind my patio chair, a sleeping baby girl cuddled up in her arms. She had grown into a motherly role with ease and I was impressed how she made it all look so natural.

"Come to Auntie, Lily," I crooned, reaching out for the tiny miracle Poppy gave birth to just two months ago. She was named after her Gran who always looked out for Poppy after she escaped her parent's poaching ring. She placed the baby in my arms before running off into the manor. An indescribable warmth, much warmer than the weather, settled in my chest.

Sebastian leaned up against a shady oak tree in the yard, a highball glass in hand, while he chatted cordially with Leander Prewitt. He had also made becoming a parent look easy. While the two weren't the best of friends, they learned to get along after all.

Sebastian locked eyes with me, a glimmer of hope sparkling in his gaze. We both decided we wanted children, just not quite yet. Somehow though, when either of us held Lily, our hearts surged with love for what was to come in addition to the love we felt for our newborn niece. Sebastian rubbed his stubbly jawline and returned to his conversation, a smirk still tugging at his lips.

"Are you ready to get back to Hogwarts yet?" Poppy had returned, sitting herself at the patio table next to me. She held a long stemmed wine glass, slowly sipping the deep red liquid.

"I'm just ready to have a year that doesn't involve trouble," I joked, gently holding Lily's hand, rubbing the soft baby skin back and fourth with my thumb. She snored quietly in my arms, unbothered by the heat or the world around us.

"Let me see that ring again," Poppy careened her head to stare at the engagement ring on my finger. It still felt so new, having only been placed there recently. The gold band glinted with the sun, the rectangular emerald centered around two smaller triangle diamonds. Sebastian had asked me to marry him on the last day of classes. He had set up a candlelit dinner in the Undercroft. There were so many candles that I was worried he would set the place on fire, but it was perfect. He pointed out a subtle detail on the ring, something that was just for us. A tiny inscription that read "that's my girl".

Sebastian walked over to Poppy and I, setting his empty glass down on the iron table. "Mind if I steal my fiancée?" He said slyly, placing a hand on my bare shoulder.

I kissed Lily on the forehead as Poppy retrieved her, who was now readying herself to feed the baby.

Sebastian took my hand and led me inside the manor. The unfinished kitchen floor had finally been crossed off the list, a brand new black and white marble tile cool under our feet. Out of view from the French doors, he backed me up to the counter, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing me passionately.

"Sebastian, someone will see us!" I pulled away laughing, brushing the hair out of his chocolate eyes.

"I don't care! I love you," before I could say it back, his lips met mine again and I followed his lead, our tongues playing games with each other, heating up my insides.

"Would you two get a room?" Ominis interrupted sarcastically, throwing a copy of the Daily Prophet beside us on the counter.

"Just having a little dessert," Sebastian swiped my bottom lip with his thumb, pecking me on the cheek before returning outside.

Things were still awkward between the three of us even if it was a work in progress. Ominis was doing what he could to gain our trust back through the little things. He'd cook dinner for us, strike up a conversation with me about my Auror days, or we'd all go for a Butterbeer in Hogsmeade like the old days. Sebastian let him stay in the manor because he had nowhere else to go, he was much more sympathetic than I thought he'd be.

While I still resented Ominis, I was learning that his motivation for what he had done was out of brotherly love for his best friend, not a hatred for me. He truly thought he was protecting Sebastian, especially due to what kind of messes we had created for ourselves together as students. Someday, I hoped we could truly come to terms with that.

"Gianna?" Ominis said wearily from across the kitchen. Our conversations were always like walking on eggshells, afraid that if one of us too a wrong step, we'd shatter the other. I turned to him, the heat from Sebastian's kiss still burning my lips.

"Hmm?" I replied, while I fidgeted with my engagement ring.

"I'm-I'm really glad you two found each other again," he said sincerely, lingering for a moment before rejoining the picnic outside.

Time. Ironically, we all just needed time.

I braced my palms on the wooden island, hoisting myself up to sit on the surface. The discarded newspaper nearby caught my attention as the portrait on the front page smirked deviously at me. It read:

"Wanted Dead or Alive: Deirdre Rookwood
Crime Committed: Murder of multiple half-blood Wizards
Reward: 1,000 Galleons
Other info: Deirdre Rookwood was thought to be dead after her husband, Victor, died. An unnamed witness spotted her in the Forbidden Forest quoting, 'Her crimes were violent, the victims were slowly tortured to death. I couldn't stop her because I was fearful of my own life.'
If you think you know something, please come forward to the Department of Magical Crimes. We are looking for any information that could lead to her arrest."

I gasped, leaning closer to the words to read them again and again. Deirdre was Victor Rookwood's wife. She had mysteriously gone missing after he died almost thirteen years ago.

Deirdre was seeking revenge for her husband's death and I'd bet all those reward Galleons that she was hunting for his murderer. Me.

So much for wanting that normal school year at Hogwarts.