Erised ─ Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Two

I woke up to the sound of Ominis's whisper behind me. "Winifred? Did you get the potion?"

I slowly blinked, groggily rubbing my eyes. "Yeah," I said, my voice laced with sleep.

I looked around the room. It was still dark out. Sebastian was still in bed, fast asleep, and the other roommates were in their beds as well. My watch read 5am.

Ominis ushered me up and out of the room, leading me to the common room. I took one last look at Sebastian, praying that he would come around to talking to me when he woke.

"What happened?" I asked Ominis once we left the hallway.

He sighed. "He gets really bad nightmares. The Ministry has been giving him Dreamless Sleep and Calming Draught while he was in their custody, but last night was the first time he was without it. He seemed to have a panic attack without it, he's likely going through withdrawals."

I shuddered, imagining the horrid things that could've filled his nightmares.

"I didn't have any draught left last night, so I went to go find Sharp. It must have gotten too bad and he went to you."

I shook my head. "Why me?"

"Well, he's your best friend."

"He doesn't act like it." I snapped.

Ominis sighed. "Wini, if I could tell you more I would. I just can't. Don't make me break the promise I made him."

"Fine." I huffed, crossing my arms in defiance. Ominis and I stood in silence.

Why was Sebastian confiding in Ominis and not me? What secrets was he keeping, and why did Ominis feel so compelled to keep them?

I glanced at Ominis, his expression a mask of determination and loyalty. I knew he wouldn't budge, no matter how much I pressed him.

"Fine," I repeated, my voice softer this time. "But, Ominis, he scared me. Is he going to be okay?"

Ominis's expression faltered for a moment, and he turned away, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know, Winifred. I really don't know."

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Despite my earlier hopes, Sebastian tried extra hard not to look at me during the day.

And I pretended like I didn't care.

That afternoon, I took a trip to Hogsmeade and bought a month's supply worth of Lavender, Wormwood, and Flobberworm mucus. I returned to the castle and spent the afternoon in the Room of Requirement, brewing about a week's worth of Sleeping Draught.

Why am I doing this? Sebastian could brew his own potions. It's not like he deserves it.

I pushed aside the thought as I stirred the cauldron, checking the time. I made sure that the 70 minutes of brewing in between adding the Lavender and Flobberworm mucus would fall at dinnertime. Dinner started in a couple minutes, and I finished the adding the last bits of lavender before heading down to the great hall.

"Win- Oh! Where have you been all afternoon?" Imelda caught me on the way to dinner. I gave her a puzzled look, before reaching for my hair. My usual, semi-tame curls had been blown into a frizzy mess, likely from the heat of the cauldrons. I cast a quick smoothing charm before heading into the Great Hall with her, my eyes drifting towards my usual spot at the Slytherin table.

Sebastian and Ominis were sitting next to each other, seemingly laughing and enjoying themselves. I felt a flare of anger. Why was he able to have a good time, while I had to sit on the sideline and wait?