Tempest // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 4

Sebastian stared at the ceiling of his four poster bed, his mind doing that thing it always does where it overthinks and prevents him from sleeping

He'd fucked it up, again

He knew he had a tendency to be a little overbearing. He knew sometimes people described him as "too much". But the ones who didn't know him would describe him as "too little." Sheltered. Reserved.

He supposed this was why he only let himself open up to a few people. To save himself from the disappointment that he was feeling at that very moment.

Sebastian didn't know what exactly drew him to Primrose so quickly. In fact, no one had even come close to having that effect on him in years. Not since Anne was cursed.

But when she walked through those doors to be sorted with the first years, he was intrigued. Captivated almost. There was something about the way she carried herself, a certain confidence and mystery. And Sebastian found himself drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

As he lay there lost in his thoughts, the events of the day replayed in his mind. He was trying hard to be friends with her. He wanted to be friends with her. But she made it increasingly difficult. She did indulge him, but then she'd shut herself off. He'd banter with her, she'd banter back, then she'd shut it down and become cross with him again.

She was maddening. But it made him want to know her more.

He did wonder if perhaps she was a Veela and maybe that's why he found himself so utterly drawn to her despite her not really responding to him the way he had hoped.

With a sigh, he sat up in bed, glancing at his pocket watch on the bedside table. It was well past midnight now.

"Merlin, Sebastian, will you go to sleep? I can almost hear the cogs turning in your brain from here." Ominis called out with a groan from his own bed.

Sebastian rubbed his eyes, realising that his restlessness was disturbing him. "Sorry, Ominis. Just can't seem to quiet my mind tonight."

Instead of disturbing everyone further, he dragged himself out of his bed and threw on his nightshirt and night robe. If he was going to be awake, he may as well make it useful.

He did his usual tricks, casting the Disillusionment charm on himself and sneaking his way down into the Restricted Section of the library. He was glad tonight was one of the nights Scribner decided to go to bed at a reasonable time, making his trip rather easy.

He did have to admit, sneaking in was a lot easier with only one person.

And he drowned himself in tomes and books, reading until he could hear birds chirping outside.

Yet another sleepless night.

Sebastian found nothing of substance, as was usually the case, and slipped the books back to the shelves with a heavy sigh before dragging himself back to the Slytherin dormitories.

The common room was still covered in darkness when Sebastian returned, the fireplace casting flickering shadows across the room as the tiniest peek of sun was coming through the windows. He climbed into his four-poster bed, feeling the exhaustion hit him like a tonne of bricks. Ominis snored softly in the background, clearly undisturbed by Sebastian's nocturnal activities.

He was blessed with two hours of sleep before the movement of his dormmates disturbed him from his slumber. Quite rude, he thought,  considering he'd left the dormitory for them to sleep last night, but he supposed they did save him from another detention for being late.

"Did you sleep at all?" Ominis asked from his bed as he pulled on his socks.

Sebastian let out an animalistic grunt, "Not really."