Shadow of a Grave ✧ Sebastian Sallow

chapter ten ✧ the undercroft

I Don't Mind by Defeater

-✧-✧-✧-

It was the middle of the school day when Sebastian Sallow had been wandering the empty hallways during his free period. It had only been a week or so into the term so he wasn't too sure what to do with himself. Assignments were too difficult yet, most he had done already and the one he hadn't he was putting off for as long as he possibly could. More of his time had been spent as it had been the entire summer; looking for a cure for his twin sister.

He had been on his way to the library to research more when he had first heard the faint sounds of crying that caused him to wander off his normal path. There was no one around from what he could see, but it was a mistake sound. For a moment he considered ignoring the sound and giving whoever it was some privacy, but it didn't feel right. 

The idea of walking away and ignoring the sound just didn't sit right with him. The person could have been hurt or in need of help. 

When he had pinpointed the location of the noise from behind one of the tall trophy cabinets, it seemed to go silent. As if they had heard his footsteps approaching and suddenly were attempting to hide.

"Are you alright?" He asked quietly as he rounded the corner to the source of the sound.

Sebastian wasn't too sure what he was going to find when he asked the question, but he was surprised when it was the new fifth-year girl whose head popped out from around the corner. Her blue eyes were still wet from pushed-away tears and the tip of her nose was just a faint hue of red.

"Oh, hello Sebastian," Amelia Blackwood had quickly greeted, "I'm fine really. I'm sorry about that." She insisted.

"Are you sure?" He pushed.

The new girl clearly had been crying only moments before, yet was quick to pretend as if he hadn't just caught her red-handed. Even after talking to her, she quickly wiped her eyes against the sleeve of her robe as if he wouldn't notice. Once more she insisted, "I'm really fine. I promise!"

The two had only spoken a few times at that point. Although each time they had spoken he found himself more curious about her. Only a week prior he had assisted her in gathering school supplies and watched the new witch that had just discovered her magic take down a troll with little help. He had begged to know what spell she had used, but then she left in a huff of stress before offering any explanation.

That was his first impression of Amelia, a big ball of stress. One that remained for years and only proven to be more true as he got to know her. 

Sebastian couldn't totally blame her for it. When she had first shown up that year late for the sorting ceremony with a frown on her face, it had seemed odd until he had the rumor of a dragon attack. But even when they called her house out for the school, her smile looked faked and focused, which had bothered him. Someone that just discovered their magic should be happy, he had thought.

When Amelia had entered his Defense Against the Dark Arts class the next day that had made him excited. The chances of them having a class together were high, but he was especially thrilled to share that one with her. Of course, everyone was interested in the newest addition to their class and how they hadn't known about magic for so long. He was no better than a curious cat only he cared about something else. 

Sebastian was more interested in the fact he hadn't seen her smile once since she arrived. The forced ones didn't count. Clearly, the new girl was trying to be polite and seemed like she was enjoying herself. But, he had been in a similar situation enough to recognize how sad she actually had been. As if Amelia was wearing a smile to conceive herself of her own fake happiness.