This is Part 2 of my fanfiction series! Make sure you read Part 1 first! If you're lazy, I'll include a summary of the key points at the beginning of this story so, technically, you can jump right in.
Seventh year. Eighteen years old. Once a dream c...
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The thought of going back to Hogwarts and seeing Sebastian brought many images to my mind. Quite a few of them were cheesy enough to be in a romance novel.
Before I was kidnapped, he wanted to spend his life with me. So, yes, that was... a little hectic and not very well thought out, but you don't just say something like that on a whim, do you? At least, I want to believe that when you've known each other as long as Sebastian and I have.
What I didn't expect, though, was his distant politeness. He forces a smile when he sees me, and his hug – observed by most of the others in the room – feels cold, as if he wants to punish me with it.
'How are you?' he finally asks, his jaw tight and his mouth stretched into a grotesque, meaningless smile that is apparently supposed to convince me of something.
'Um...' I start, because I don't know how to react to this. Saying that I'm fine would not only be a lie, but also rude to myself.
'Stupid question, sorry,' he says quickly, kneading his fingers. 'I ... well ...' He clears his throat and looks somewhere between my eyebrows, I think – it's not directly at my face. 'I hope you like the party.'
I look around the common room unnecessarily, as if I hadn't even noticed the Christmas decorations yet. 'Well ... yes.'
This is a terrible conversation. And when I see Sebastian glance over at Violet Fucking McDowell, I feel the urge to end it.
'I... well, I think I'll go back then...'
'You should probably...'
We talk at the same time. Our eyes meet. Mine ask a question. His tell me not to want an answer.
I don't understand what any of this means.
***
The evening is full of eggnog, butterbeer and lots of cookies. I still eat very little, but what I stuff into myself tonight is a record since I was kidnapped. My parents would be proud of me.
However, I also notice that I am worn out pretty quickly. I can barely last two hours before my bones ache and I feel like all my energy has been sucked out of me. Normally, everyone would have tried to persuade me to stay longer, but under the circumstances, Anne just tells me that she'll leave the decorations up for an extra day, or a whole week, depending on how long it takes me to enjoy them.
As I slowly make my way from the sofa towards the dormitories, I let my gaze wander over the crowded common room. Almost everyone is on their feet, eating and drinking, and there is music playing as if it were indeed Christmas Eve. The aura gives me goosebumps and I can't help but smile.
Despite my tiredness, Sebastian's behaviour burns under my fingernails. After everything that has happened, I expected a lot, but not that. He was so... strange. A phase that I thought we had left behind us. What has my abduction changed?
