Becoming a Sallow

Afterwards

Eighteen Years Later

Sebastian Sallow

Personally, Sebastian never understood why first years had to ride the damn train to Hogwarts. It was a stupid tradition the school required, and if it weren't for that tradition, he would have already been home by now. Could already see his best friend and sister after the past seven years of living abroad in America.

But instead, they were at the overcrowded station where people jostled and ran or were too damn slow. Many first years were hugging their parents, as their parents lectured them on what they expected from their children.

The three of them were quiet at the moment though. Somber. Charlotte stared at the train with that far off and hurt expression she had worn ever since the funeral. She was tense, shoulders hunched, and her knuckles were white as they gripped her trunk in front of her. He knew what she was thinking about. A whole new experience without her twin by her side.

He pushed back his own grief and placed his hands on her shoulders, giving her a gentle squeeze. She glanced up at him and he gave her a smile. She swallowed hard and looked away from him, obviously trying to avoid the emotions conflicting her.

"You remember where the undercroft is?" He leaned down to whisper in her ear. She nodded and a genuine smile came to her face, albeit a small one, her shoulders relaxing under his hands.

"Does Levi know about it?" She asked, her gaze finding his, her voice steady and calm, despite the emotions he knew she was feeling.

"I'm sure Ominis told him about it, sweetheart. Can't imagine why he wouldn't." Considering after what Sebastian had done to Ominis' brother, the rest of the Gaunts withdrew their children from Hogwarts the minute they found out Sebastian's nephew was attending there. Sebastian almost grinned, remembering reading Anne's owl about it and feeling satisfaction and relief when he had.

At least his daughter could have a normal year without some madman kidnapping her like what Tessa had gone through.

"I hope you're not encouraging her to be as wild as you were, Sebastian." Tessa scolded, raising an eyebrow at him before smiling.

Sebastian dropped his hands from Charlie's shoulder to lean over and gave his wife a kiss on the top of her head. "Of course not, darling." He told her, then added, "I'm encouraging her to be better than me at getting away with it." As he pulled Tessa into a hug.

"Sallow and Wilkes?! Is that you?"

Sebastian bit back a growl as they turned to see Reyes coming towards them, a boy in tow who looked like the spitting image of her. The boy was in blue robes. Ravenclaw, like his father, Sebastian would assume.

"Oi! It's Sallow and Sallow now, thank you." Sebastian corrected her, annoyed. He still hated her maiden name. "I take it you aren't a Reyes anymore?" He asked to prove his point, pulling Tessa against his side. He relished in how she immediately leaned into him, a small possessive gesture that she hardly ever showed. Then Tessa was stepping forward, as if proving that she didn't need to be possessive. Whether it was to herself, him, or Reyes, he couldn't guess.

"It's Clayton now, actually." Rey-Clayton said, smiling and pulling Tessa into a hug, which startled Sebastian but Tessa seemed to take it in stride.

"Imelda, how are you?" Tessa asked politely, and Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest as the two women seemed to catch up. Another reason he hated the train station. He didn't have to see past regrets. Sebastian's gaze flickered to her son, who she hadn't yet introduced, and who was staring at his shoes. Shy? Odd, Clayton and Rey-... Other Clayton hadn't been shy at all. Sebastian's eyes moved back to Imelda.

"This is my son Luke! He's captain of the Ravenclaw quidditch team," she told them proudly, gesturing to Luke, who barely lifted his gaze to nod then looked back down at the ground. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Charlotte stiffen and he reached over to gently rub her back.

Tobias' hobby had been quidditch. A bitter feeling settled over the three of them as Imelda continued, not catching onto the shift change that had happened. But finally, Clayton asked Charlotte "So, do you know which house you're in yet?"

"Not yet." Charlie answered, shaking her head. "They'll sort me tonight, from what I understand."

With the rest of the first years, like Tessa had been. Though, Tessa had been late. Sebastian noticed that Clayton had rolled her eyes at that same realization, and Tessa had stiffened slightly.

"Have you warned her to stay away from those troublesome Slytherin boys?" Clayton smirked. Now Sebastian was rubbing Tessa's back soothingly as she forced herself to laugh, though it was far too soft. He didn't know how a laugh could be threatening, but Tessa executed it flawlessly.

Thankfully, the train horn blew and they both turned to Charlotte, grateful to end the painful conversation with Clayton.

Sebastian kissed Charlotte on the top of her head as Tessa hugged her tightly. Too tight and too long, and Sebastian's chest ached from the reason why.

"We love you, Charlotte. Please write as often as possible. We will write to you to let you know if we'll be in or out of town for a weekend for visits. Okay?" Tessa told her, gently rubbing Charlie's arms after releasing her from the hug.

"Love you guys," Charlie mumbled, her voice low, trying not to show any emotion. Too bad she was about as good at that as he was, Sebastian mused to himself.

"Love you too, sweetheart." He told her.

"Be safe," Tessa whispered, causing Sebastian's chest to ache again at the meaning behind those words. Charlie nodded and grabbed her trunk. Sebastian heard Clayton tell her son to show Charlie around, and Sebastian had to bite back his laugh.

As if someone as timid as Luke could ever show Charlotte anything. She was too spirited. Stubborn and blunt and often thought she needed no help from anyone. But to be fair, Sebastian had taught her and Tobias everything he possibly could as soon as he felt they were responsible enough to learn it.

Both Charlie and Luke disappeared onto the train and Sebastian pulled Tessa in front of him so that her back was to his chest, resting his chin on the top of her head.

"She'll be fine." He told her softly. Tessa said nothing, ringing her hands as the train horn blew again then started to depart from the station.

"I know she will be." Tessa finally said, turning to face him with a smile. "She takes after you."

FIN.

Author's Note

Hi guys! This was the fourth rewrite of Sebastian and Tessa's story x.x It did not go according to plan, because Sebastian is stubborn af and does things his way. ._.

Above was Sebastian's POV from the first part of chapter one from 'Heir of Sallow', which I greatly encourage you to read! I started this fanfic adventure backwards, posting about Charlie and Toby before Sebastian and Tessa. 

If you do choose to read 'Heir of Sallow', say hi to Theodore and Fennic for me ;)

THANK YOU FOR READING! Thanks for any and all comments and votes. You guys are all amazing and I can only hope you fully enjoyed this little adventure with me.

From the bottom of my tiny little cold black heart.

Thank you.