timeless // Sebastian Sallow

CHAPTER 5: True Slytherin

It was getting late, and we decided to call it for the night.

"Ominis, I will see you later at our common room," Sebastian said once we were outside the Undercroft. "I will accompany Carolyn to the Gryffindor quarters."

Oh, okay. I wasn't expecting this.

"Carolyn, you have a good night. Sebastian, don't get in trouble on the first day of school, that would be pitiful." He raised his wand and the faint red light guided him away.

Sebastian and I walked side by side, silent. Our pace was a bit too slow - I believe that none of us were in a hurry.

"So...," I cleared my throat, trying to come up with anything. "How is... everything?"

I regretted it instantly. It sounded so dumb. Why was I nervous? I had spent so much time with him last year. It is just Sebastian, it shouldn't be awkward.

"Well, I don't even know where to begin. I feel so much... lighter, you know?" He let out a heavy breath. "I am still trying to process everything. My uncle, my sister. I was so fixed on those matters, that I never really thought about my life beyond it. All the dreams that I had, I had given them up," he confessed.

"I was in a very dark place last year, Carolyn. Very dark. And I don't mean just literally, as in the dark magic. My head, my soul... They went places. I didn't even recognize myself anymore."

I placed my hand on his arm as we walked, to comfort him. My own nerves had settled, and being with him just felt normal again.

"You've been through a lot, Sebastian. But in the aftermath, I am happy that it all worked out for you. I really am."

He stopped at once and turned at me. His gaze was deep, inviting me to sink.

"Can I say something?" He hesitated and smiled timidly at me.

"Um, yes?"

"I feel a little embarrassed. You know, I was an arse to you so many times," he said, looking down. "Honestly, I am surprised that you are here... as if nothing had happened." His brows creased, and the smile faded into a saddened whisper. "You saw me kill a person. My own uncle. And yet, you are still here."

I clenched my jaw, hoping that my tone was reassuring. "Sebastian... I guess that I just... I believe in you. And I believe that everyone deserves a second chance."

He nodded. "As I've told you before, I can't undo what's been done. I am trying every day to make up for it. I owe it to Ominis, Anne... and to you."

A sense of relief took over me, as if his words had fuelled my belief that I made the right decision.

"Sebastian, I had my own share of bad choices last year. The unforgivable curses you taught me... I've used them one too many times." I swallowed a knot in my throat, admitting that out loud. "All those poachers, goblins, mongrels... though it was all self-defence. I am not proud of any of it, but we both did things that had to be done."

He crossed his arms in front of his body.

"Oh, 'Things that had to be done', you say? Well look at you now," he grinned, "Speaking like a true Slytherin."

I rolled my eyes and scoffed. "Me? A Slytherin?? I can't even roam the dungeons without getting the chills! I once visited the girls' bathroom there... Never again. Creepy."

"Come on now," he said with a nonchalant tone and smirked. "I know you would love to spend even more time with us at our ominous common room... Besides, you would look somewhat acceptable in green."

"You know what?" I mocked. "Maybe it is about time I finally hang out more with my Gryffindor friends! You see, Garreth and Leander think I am some kind of brilliant genius, I wonder if they would accept me as their friend so we become a trio," I finished by placing my hand on my chin, giving that a fake thought.

His head tilted down a little. "You wouldn't dare," his voice lowered and his eyes darkened. "Those fools would never know how to appreciate you like I do."

Shivers crawled up my spine, and I just stared at him for a moment too long.

I was so taken by surprise, that I did what I do best: burst into laughter.

He stared at me for a while, letting a soft chuckle out. His fingers ran through his hair in an unsuccessful attempt to put his hair into place, but the untamed strands kept brushing his freckled forehead.

Before I let my face flush and my vision double in a rose rush, I resumed walking.

The Fat Lady painting was already in sight, and even at the slowest pace possible, we did make it.

He shoved his hands into the pockets of his cloak. "I will see you tomorrow, then? I never asked you which classes you chose, but I sense that we will take some together. You are not one to follow the boring path."

"I am actually looking forward to a boring year, " I cackled. "But I just know we will see each other around, no matter the path. The both of us, earning our second chances to make better decisions, okay?"

"Yes. Thank you, Carolyn," he said with a low, tender voice.

As he prepared to walk away, he let out a genuine smile and blushed.

Wait, did I make him blush?