🥀 Roses and Novels | Hogwarts Legacy Fanfic | Sebastian, Ominis and Evander

🥀 - chapter 52 -🌹

(Helena perspective)

After Ominis said goodbye to me, I headed to the Rosarium. I passed through the living room on my way to the back door, but paused.

Sebastian was there, standing by the fireplace. His hand covered part of his face as he paced slowly, his eyes fixed on the flames. He looked like he was deep in thought, or worry. Maybe it was about what we spoke of on Drathena. Or perhaps something else, something between him and Ominis.

I stepped forward. My voice barely above a whisper. "Sebastian..."

He turned his head, and our eyes met. There were tears in his. He wiped them quickly and faced me fully. "Helena..." he said, quiet and hoarse.

I took another step, my leg still aching and unsteady. "Are you alright?" I asked gently.

"I'm fine. Just... having a private moment," he answered, trying to sound composed.

"Oh... okay." My voice softened with disappointment. He was shutting me out again. He always did that when he was hurting.

I left him alone and continued outside. The cold summer breeze stung against my skin as I hurried to the Rosarium. Even with my limp, I walked faster, holding my arms tight around myself.

The pain in my leg was nothing compared to the ache in my heart.

Sebastian had said he loved me. Loved me, for me.

My hand touched the Rosarium door, and I opened it. Just as I stepped inside, I felt a warm presence behind me. A breath against my neck.

"You're still hurt," came that deep, familiar voice.

"I'm fine," I said quickly, stepping further into the room and bracing myself on the table to keep from falling.

A warm hand landed on my shoulder. "You're not fine. There's a bloodstain on your skirt, and your face is pale, you've lost too much blood."

I turned and leaned back against the table, gripping its edge. His brown-gold eyes searched mine with worry. "Thanks for noticing, doctor. But I said I'm fine," I snapped.

He didn't flinch. "Let me help. I'll be careful," he said softly.

I hesitated, then nodded.

He knelt down in front of me and paused, looking up for permission. I stretched my leg forward. He nodded back.

Gently, he raised my skirt, letting the soft fabric slide over my skin. His fingers were warm against my leg. A shiver ran through me, the heat of his touch burning through the chill in the air.

His left hand searched my lower leg for the wound, eyes flicking up again to make sure I was okay. I gave him a shy smile. He pushed the fabric higher.

My breath caught.

His movements were slow, steady. He stayed focused.

"Are you scared?" he asked gently.

I didn't answer. I just stared at him, silently.

"I won't hurt you. I promise."

With his right hand still holding the skirt in place, he reached for his wand. "Same spot as the waterfall injury... I'll clean and close it. There'll be a bruise, but nothing serious. Is that alright?"

"Just do it, Sebastian," I replied quickly.

He brought his wand to my leg. "Hygiëna."

The blood vanished, and what remained was a deep, open cut.

I looked away quickly. My stomach turned at the sight of it.

"Don't look," he said softly. "Think of something good."