The Hearts Horcrux

Chapter One: Gilded Lily

We used to be happy. So how did we get this way, his hands around my neck, as I am obnoxiously shoved up against the wall, fighting for a lasting breath?

Since the beginning of third year, Sebastian Sallow and I had been attached at the hip. With every chuckle and every cocky smile, I was drawn further and further into the darkness that was the quest to his sister's cure. I willingly descended into the restricted section time and time again, searching for something, anything, that might help him. When I read sadness on his features, pain adorned my own. All I ever wanted was to absolve him of the suffering he faced. But now, in all my wisdom, it was beginning to become strikingly obvious that I had never truly had a hand in helping him.

No, I was driving him to worse affairs. I was complacent in his downfall. This was a reality that haunted me even now, and often I would find myself replaying the events of our third year together, looking for the first signs of trouble. But they were all around, begging to be noticed. Begging to be saved.

• —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

There were moments that seemed promising, and those moments lit my heart on fire with elation. I held onto those moments as if they were my only salvation, hoping that they could both bring us both to the light. The way he would reach for my hand when we were on the run during quests, fleeing from the results of our bloodlust. A few dozen dark wizards dead in our wake, and we were simply running off hand in hand- beaming at one another with large smiles on our faces. Because nothing else mattered but us. Nothing else mattered but the cure for anne. He was willing to follow me into the dark if it meant he could help his sister. And I was willing to follow him into the dark if it meant being with him, no matter the cost.

Then there was the dreaded moment, 6 months into the school year, where I spotted him terribly close to Adelaide Oaks, a gesture that grasped my heart and squeezed. The sight of them together left me breathless, as I hid over the side of a corner wondering if my eyes deceived me. Why was he laughing so effortlessly? Why was she just as ecstatic to see him? Were his feelings for me not blooming as mine were?

Later that night during our usual tirades in The Undercroft I decided to inquire about the event, but only in the most casual of ways.

"So, you and Adelaide?" I swallowed, trying to seem unbothered, trying to seem untouched by jealousy.

Sebastian turned towards me, from his usual spot up against one of The Undercroft's pillars. "Adelaide? What about her?" He questioned, seeming utterly confused as he raised a lone eyebrow.

"I saw you two together this morning, quite cozied up. You make a ravishing couple." I said nonchalantly, not a single expression marking my face. My emotions could stay contained in most situations, so long as the matters were not utterly disabling.

"Couple?" Sebastian barked out laughter. He approached me slowly, and his reaction irked me, as I took a few steps back slowly. I gulped, as he stopped a few feet away. "Are you seeing things Lilia? We are not a couple." He let out another little chuckle, before turning away slightly. "She's not my type." he shrugged, as if he was brushing the entire situation off.

"I could have sworn.." I swallowed. "I'm sorry."

Sebastian's gaze ghosted the ground as he approached me once again.

"Are you jealous, Lilia?" Sebastian trailed, his tone curious, almost taunting.

I took a step back as my eyes dropped to the ground. "No!" I nearly shouted.

He stopped and silence took us for a second. That was before he reached out towards me softly and grabbed my hand.

"Because you have no reason to be." He whispered below his breath, his eyes glancing up softly in an attempt to meet my own.