Like the Stars in the Sky

Chapter Five

Piper

I lay in my bed, covers pulled up to my face. It was just as cold in the Ravenclaw dormitories as I'd remembered. The sun hadn't peaked up over the mountains yet, but I knew it would soon. The dormitories were quiet, other than the shifting of the other sleeping seventh year girls. The silence felt like it was putting slight pressure on my chest, making it hard to breathe, and I was trying to distract myself with my thoughts.

It had been a few days since that night in the Undercroft with Sebastian. Other than actually acknowledging each other's presence when we passed, it felt like not much had changed. Garreth had helped distract me from Sebastian's silence, though I hadn't told him that Sebastian and I were on speaking terms again. Somehow everywhere I went, Garreth was right by my side, making a joke about whatever popped into his mind. I didn't mind him, but the squeezing feeling of my heart somehow increased slightly when it was him who was by my side.

The sun shined through the window above my bed, and I finally got out from under my warm blankets. I immediately regretted it, shivering as I pulled my blue sweater over my white button up. I pulled on my knit tights, then my plaid skirt. I slipped my feet into my boots, lacing them up. I brushed through my hair, then headed out for the quiet common room. I situated myself at one of the tables, pulling out some books to study.

A while passed before anyone came out from the dormitories. Samantha came out, taking a seat next to me. She yawned and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

"What are you doing up so early?"

"It's not that early." I kept my eyes on my book.

"It really is." Samantha yawned again.

"I couldn't sleep. I thought I'd get a head start on our reading for next week."

I'd been woken up by a nightmare. Again. Professor Weasley had offered to arrange me with a Calming draught, and every wakeful night that passed broke down more of my resolve to not take it.

Samantha ended up pulling out a few books, and we both worked on our reading for a while. More and more students wandered out of the dormitories, some heading straight down to the Great Hall for breakfast, others studying.

"Breakfast?" Samantha's voice finally pulled me out of the chapter on the history of brooms I'd been reading.

I nodded, closing my book, sliding it into my black bookbag.

After exiting the entrance to the Ravenclaw dormitory, I noticed unexpecting face. Sebastian sat in one of the window seats lining the hall, reading a book. Sunshine streamed in through the windows, giving a warm glow to his skin. I took note of the different shades of brown and gold streaking through his hair.

"Sebastian?"

He glanced up, meeting my eyes. He closed his book, standing.

Samantha elbowed me gently. I looked over at her, and she gave me a knowing look.

"I'm heading down, I'll catch up with you at breakfast."

Samantha had been awake studying for our history of magic test when I'd gotten back to the dormitories that night I'd spoken to Sebastian. I'd opened up to her, telling her about what had happened, leaving out all the parts that involved Sebastian killing his uncle, of course.

"You're awfully far from the Slytherin common room." I teased.

Sebastian shrugged in response.

"I just wanted to come exploring. I've never been up so high in the castle before." He joked back. He tilted his head towards the way Samantha had gone.