Ancient: The Legacy of Slytherin

A Troll? In Hogsmeade?

Sebastian was waiting for me in the Transfiguration Courtyard. He wore his Slytherin robes with green plaid pants rolled up to his knee and a matching suit jacket/vest combo. His shirt was white and his tie was the same plaid as his jacket and pants. He looked like a perfect gentleman from the neck down, but his hair was wild, falling in trussed curls all around his face. When he looked up and saw me, he smiled widely.

"Ah, my new charge. Hello, Ara."

I raised an eyebrow. "Your new charge?"

"Yes! I was specifically assigned to escort the beautiful, mysterious new fifth year to Hogsmeade for supplies. An honor if I ever had one."

Beautiful and mysterious? What had gotten into him?

"So now I'm beautiful and mysterious?"

"Well you've always been beautiful, but now you're mysterious because you won't tell me what's been going on with you."

My face was warm and must have been flushed as we started walking. When we reached the covered bridge leading out of Hogwarts, I decided to respond.

"If I could tell you, believe me, I would. I don't have anyone to talk with about it and it's...lonely." Sebastian stopped walking and turned towards me. He leaned forward and placed his hands on the bridge at my sides, trapping me there. His face was close to mine, and the pull inside me felt like a magnet.

"Ara, your secrets are safe with me. I want to be a good friend to you, someone you trust. I would never tell another soul anything you choose to tell me. I swear on my sister. You can talk to me. You shouldn't have to go through it alone."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Remember when we both felt a shock the first time we touched in the common room? When we're not near each other, do you feel like you're being pulled towards me? Like some force you can't control keeps finding me?"

He held his position while he made a thinking face. "I hadn't thought about it like that, but now that you say it, yes. You know, I actually dreamt about you last night, too. I feel like somehow, I've known you my whole life. I know that's impossible, but it's how I feel."

I decided to be bold and raised my right hand to his cheek. "What do you feel when I do this?"

His breath hitched when my hand made contact with his skin. "I- I feel warm. And safe. Like a part of me that's been missing is finally whole."

"And what about this?" I shifted so that our foreheads were touching. He stopped breathing entirely.

"Ara-"

"Tell me, Seb."

"I feel like I would burn the world for you. I'd do anything you ask of me without a question. I'd die to protect you." I moved my head back.

"Doesn't it seem odd that you feel all of this without even knowing me for 72 hours? I feel like there's something else at work here, I'm just not sure what."

"Do you feel the same? For me?"

"Yes. I can't explain it either, but I would do anything for you, I know it. I would follow you to hell and back."

Then he did something I didn't expect. Without warning, he leaned forward and placed a warm kiss on my forehead. His right hand was on my cheek as his thumb brushed back and forth.

"I will do everything in my power to protect you, Ara. I don't understand it, but from the moment you walked into that sorting ceremony I felt connected to you. Who are you, Arabella Gene?"