There are two types of people: those who would kill for love and those who would die for it. And they usually end up attracted to each other. • {slow burn friends to lovers, arranged marriage, morally grey characters, fluff and angst, happy ending}
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"It only feels this raw right now Lost in the labyrinth of my mind Break up, break free, break through, break down You would break your back to make me break a smile."
🎧 Recommended song for this chapter: Labyrinth - Taylor Swift (I linked the acoustic version, it's beautiful)
*****
"There you are..."
Sebastian's gaze found mine as he greeted me with a faint smile and drowsy eyes. His demeanour was not familiar - he seemed... jaded.
"There you are," I replied, with an awkward smirk at my own joking tone.
Why did I barely remember any interaction with Sebastian since Christmas of the year before? It felt as if it had all been a dream - or nightmare, to be more precise. And then, after waking up, It was like being lost in the labyrinth of my mind. My brain had been incessantly stumbling on dead ends, struggling to comprehend the 9 or 10 months before. The memories were like mist in a maze, lingering in the air but impossible to touch.
I cleared my throat as I sat next to him, pushing the confusion away.
"So... How was France? How is Anne doing?"
"The break was exactly what I needed," He said. "Ever since Anne transferred to Beauxbatons, we haven't had the chance to spend quality time together, away from here. Anne can be stubborn and annoying sometimes, but I will never not feel grateful for where we are today. It feels like Solomon and the curse happened in a different life. I barely remember the last time I questioned myself how on earth she got cured in the first place."
A genuine smile spread across my face. A whole year had passed and, as far as I knew, the Sallow twins hadn't had any further misfortunes, and they hadn't been that happy for a long time. I reminded myself never to ask again about Anne's miraculous cure, as much as it still made me curious to that day.
Then, Sebastian pulled a small paper card from his pouch.
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"Anne was captivated by the charms of Paris. She said she sees herself living there in the future. So we had this muggle portrait taken...Though the photographer was livid at our inability to keep still," He chuckled charmingly. "This photograph was black and white, but I spent days trying to figure out some spells to recolour it. I'd say it looks pretty decent now."
The familiar sight of his smile and the unique timbre of his laughter were seared in the back of my mind, dormant for too long, until they were finally brought to life again. The specific way his lips curved, crinkling the corners of his eyes, had my doomed heart skipping a beat for the first time in a long time, as if I had finally caught a glimpse of the exit of the never-ending maze of lost memories.
"Sebastian... This has to be the most adorable thing I have ever seen!!" I smiled fondly, tracing my fingertips on the print, blown away by their beautiful twin features and gleaming eyes. Happy eyes.
