Invisible String - Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Two: Home

The great castle that was Hogwarts loomed overhead as the carriages pulled up to the gates and I stared at the glowing windows, a mixed feeling of excitement and dread looming over me. It was my last year here, and I was reminded as the unknown third years clambered from the carriage that I had to go through it without the one person I wanted to.

He should have been in here, Ominis by his side, Poppy and I talking excitedly to the two of them about the upcoming year. Complaining about the mountains of homework we were sure to have. Speculating about if Headmaster Black would allow Quidditch back.

I still hadn't seen a single match.

But what I imagined our years at Hogwarts would look like came to an abrupt end fifth year. We had agreed. It wasn't good for us to continue our relationship- in any capacity.

Poppy and I climbed out and walked up the steps to the great hall and it wasn't long before another group of Hufflepuff students pulled Poppy off to their table, Poppy shouting a hurried, "See you in the morning!"

I turned towards the Slytherin table and parked myself at the very end of it without much thought, my mind buzzing with all the memories of my final moments with Sebastian. The last goodbye we shared in the Undercroft, the way his fingers brushed a single tear from my cheek. The look of longing that passed between us as his eyes flashed to my lips briefly. It was all there, fresh, as though it had happened yesterday.

But no. It had happened over a year ago. End of term fifth year. All of sixth year had come and gone with each of us refusing to look anywhere near the other. It was as though a large canyon had opened between us, and neither one was willing to cross it.

It still made sense, didn't it, not speaking?

We were so bad for each other- toxic even. Me, encouraging his flirting with dark magic, excusing use of Unforgivable curses, justifying what had happened to Solomon. Him, pushing me to use my connection to ancient magic to dark, dangerous places, telling me, no- convincing me that Isadora had been right in taking away the ability to feel pain, and me almost falling to the same power that had destroyed Ranrok.

I was vaguely aware of Professor Black standing at the front of the hall, giving start of term announcements- no doubt that the answer to my question about Quidditch was being answered and I wasn't paying attention. I was far too lost in my thoughts.

We stopped talking for a reason.

Yes, but it's been a long time, we've both grown- surely friendship isn't off the table anymore?

Stay away from him, Abbi.

Still, I found myself missing him all the time. His laugh, the crinkle by his eyes when he actually smiled-

"Hey, anyone sitting here?"

Well, shit. Apparently, my thoughts attract exactly what I'm trying to avoid. Standing next to me, hand twitching just a bit nervously, eyes darting from me, to a point further up the table, to the floor, and back to me again, was Sebastian fucking Sallow.

I stared at him, my eyes suddenly wide as saucers, a look of what I presumed was shock on my face. Here he was, standing in front of me, speaking to me, after an entire year of agreed upon silence. He'd crossed that canyon first. I wanted to like that he did- I did like that he had- but I couldn't let myself like it. I quirked one eyebrow up at him, snapped out of my thoughts entirely.

"Um, no," I pointed to the seat across from me. "Have at it?"

He nodded curtly, hand flexing again, and moved to sit. He looked at me from across the table, and I took the time to really take in his appearance. The quick view of him on the train really hadn't done him any justice.

Not only had he grown, but some of his remaining baby fat had thinned out, showing a defined jawline and high cheek bones. His freckles were more prominent, evidence of a summer in the sun. His robes were fresh, new gleaming silk tie, sleeves freshly pressed so the usual wrinkles didn't appear on his uniform. They looked brand new, and I wondered quickly if Ominis had purchased them for him. But what I noticed most were his brown eyes. They were void of their usual light. The fine lines from his smile were still there though.

"How was your summer?" He asked me, eyes staring back at me with the same intensity that I was staring at him.

I tugged on a strand of my blonde hair before tucking it back behind my ear. "It was fine," I answered softly, looking away from him as the food magically appeared on the dishes between us. "Nothing really happened. Nothing has happened in a while," I said pointedly.

He grabbed for a dish I didn't recognize, and I moved for the potatoes. I eyed him carefully, still unsure what he was playing at.

"I moved in with Ominis and his family," he supplied next, despite the fact I hadn't asked. But I took note that I was most likely correct about Ominis buying his robes. "Anne still won't speak to me."

"What do you want, Sebastian?" I bit my lip, feeling a little guilty that I didn't acknowledge his information about Anne.

He sighed and raised his fork full of food to his lips. He took his time chewing before he answered me. I could tell he was choosing his words carefully, as if he was afraid of me. "Well, see, I was wondering if we had to keep actively ignoring each other. Or if we could possibly become friends again."

It was my turn to sigh now. Hadn't this been my musing since seeing him on the train. Of course, I wanted to be friends, I never wanted to not be friends. But it wasn't smart. I looked at him, a look of pity written across my face, and he knew my answer before I even got the words out.

"We can't."

"Forget it," he said standing up abruptly.

"Seb, it's not like I wan-"

"No, Abbi, you're right. It was stupid of me to ask." I could see the sadness deepen in his features.

"Sebastian, please," I said, feeling Poppy's eyes bore into the back of my head. I was going to kill her.

"I'll see you around, Crane."

With that, he turned on his heel and walked out of the Great Hall heading to the common room.