Closure (Sebastian Sallow x MC)

Chapter 5

Finally, it is Saturday.

The end of the week has been exhausting. Two prefects got sick at the same time, so I had prefect duty two nights in a row and I didn't get a good sleep afterwards. If that wasn't enough, it seems like all the professors have agreed on sending assignments for the weekend, so I have to spend all Saturday morning in the library. Because why would I want to sleep in for one day and just relax in the first week back, right?

I'm in the middle of writing a paper on the uses of the Polyjuice Potion when a hand rests on the table right next to mine.

"Aren't you the busiest woman in this school?" I look up and find Sebastian, leaning against his hand, incredibly close to me. I try to not panic. "I practically haven't seen you these last few days." He whispers; even though I'm the only one at my table.

And I have to breathe in for a second so he doesn't notice how surprised I am to see him. I have only seen him in class since the afternoon we spent at The Three Broomsticks and now it's weird. It is weird because, thanks to Poppy, I can't get out of my mind wild and bizarre ideas about him. How is it that I never noticed before how close we stand next to each other, but now I get nervous every time? How is it that I never noticed the warmth that his body radiates? Why didn't I care about touching him before, but now every little brush of his skin feels like electricity?

Has he always been so tall? So strong? So handsome?

Have I always felt like this?

"Believe me, I know. I feel like I haven't even had time to breathe, and these assignments don't help." I take a better look at him, he is carrying a book, but not one related to the homework we have. "What are you doing here, anyway?"

"You already want me gone?" He smirks, teasing me. Then, he takes the seat in front of me. "I already told you early this week that I was planning on burying my nose in all the books I could find regarding a possible cure for Anne."

I arch an eyebrow.

"What about homework and the extra assignments to catch up?"

"Hmmm?" He looks up to me, forgetting about the book just for a moment. "Don't worry, I think I know just a person who can help me with that." He winks at me and returns to his lecture.

I can feel my cheeks a little warmer.

"Are you assuming that I'm going to help you?"

Without looking up, he answers.

"Of course. I can be very convincing." He gives me a quick look without lifting his head. "And if you are too hard to convince, I will just ask Ominis. He will give me a lecture about responsibilities for half an hour and then he'll help me."

I chuckle silently.

"You are very lucky to have us, you know?"

He then looks at me deeply in the eyes. "I know."

***

I spend the rest of the morning with Sebastian, both focused on our respective work. I am bored at times, but Sebastian looks so focused that I don't want to interrupt him. And I am tempted. Maybe it's because I find this homework so boring, or maybe it's because I haven't seen him this week and I miss him, but all I can think about for most of the morning is how I would like more to simply spend some time with him.

We leave the library together at lunch time, heading together to the Great Hall.

The atmosphere of the castle is radically different on weekends. It is so difficult to spot a professor, as most of them are locked in their rooms, enjoying their alone-time. That absence of authority figures means that the students spend most of the time hanging out with friends around the castle, a lot more relaxed than when the teachers are around. Even the ghosts seem more comfortable.