Invisible String - Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Twenty-Three: The Cruciatus Curse

Sebastian's POV

It was ten minutes to midnight when I entered the Undercroft, my hands holding a pile of black leather bound books, and another stem of wildflowers. My wand held in between my teeth, I pulled the entrance to the room closed and pushed the grate open with my back.

Immediately, the scent of honeysuckle and vanilla hit my nose, the sweet aroma of her filling the space. I'd smelled it so many times, fifth year as I'd gotten more confident and allowed myself to be closer to her, I relished the sweet smell. It was always strongest in her hair, and I had breathed it in copiously whenever I'd whispered in her ear. Last year it had overwhelmed me in potions when she was two stations away, brewing Amortentia. I'd messed up my own cauldron full of potion on purpose to avoid her intoxicating aroma, and had still found myself rigid for fear of someone noticing who I was staring at.

Slowly, agonizingly slowly, I turned around, and was immediately met with the sight of her in the most breathtaking outfit she owned. The green trousers and black corseted top hugged each of her curves magnificently, and I had to keep my eyes from devouring her.

She let out a soft giggle as she saw my frame, back hunched forward, arms laden with ancient textbooks, wand still clutched between my teeth.

"Need a hand there, Sallow?"

Normally, when she called me Sallow, it was when she was angry with me. Her brows would scrunch in, her lips pulled into an uncomfortably thin line, eyes flashing dangerously. Tonight though, there was almost something playful tucked into the words. Eyes glinting mischievously.

I reached up and snatched my wand from my mouth, grinning back at her as I forced myself to stand tall. "Now, why on earth would I need help?"

She simply rolled her eyes at this, before walking over to me and grabbing a handful of books from my overflowing arms. I smile at her softly, but she's already turned away.

Of course she had, I'd given her no reason this week to be happy with me.

What was I supposed to do though? She'd asked me to help her stay away from the darkness, to keep her from falling down into that mass of twisted magic beneath the school. I'd promised her I would. Yet, at the first bloody opportunity, I watched her from behind a stone as she inhaled wisps of dark magic in Feldcroft.

And I had loved it.

"Are you speaking to me now, then?" Abbi asked from across the room, looking into the empty triptych of Isadora. The books she'd taken from my arms were placed on top of a crate nearby, so I proceeded to dump my books there as well.

"I was always speaking to you, Abbi," I said. Which technically was true. I hadn't iced her out. I'd just aimed to avoid time alone with her. "But, I know you wanted to talk more."

I hesitated on the verge of apologizing; surely I owed her that much. She'd done so much for me, and I had only ever repaid her in hurtful words. For some reason though, as I looked at her, I couldn't force the words from my mouth. It seemed pointless, like things didn't need to be said for her to understand.

She glared at me briefly before shrugging. "You don't have to talk to me all the time. I just, I don't know, I thought after Feldcroft-"

"Let's not talk about that just now," I whispered, cutting her off. I didn't think I could resist the urge to kiss her if I relived that memory right now. I reached for her hand, wishing to feel her skin against mine again and ran my thumb over the top of her knuckles. "I asked you here for something else."

She raised her eyebrows up, curiosity peaked. I grinned lightly, my lips pulled up in a smirk. Reaching over to the pile of books I had gathered, I picked up the everlasting flower I'd chosen for her today. I handed the gift over to her, and shivered lightly as her fingers brushed mine when she took the stem.