Invisible String - Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Hogsmead Highstreet

It was only a half hour later when the damage to my knee was repaired. The matron, Madam Blainey, was less than pleased when Sebastian returned, clutching a handful of clothes and a pair of boots, his own clothes changed, and that signature Sallow smirk plastered over his lips.

"Now really," Madam Blainey huffed as she tried to force me back into the bed. "You need rest, Miss Crane!"

"But Madam Blainey, you healed my knee so well, look!" I made great show of bending and extending my knee, which truthfully didn't hurt in the slightest. "We won the match, I can't just not show up for the team. Imelda and I are captains."

Sebastian was suppressing a laugh behind his hand at my exaggerated movements, to which I glared at him. He stepped forward, struggling to keep his voice level, and spoke.

"If I promise to keep her off of a broom for the night, and bring her straight back here in the morning for you to check over, would you please let her enjoy this evening with her team?"

Madam Blainey's ruffled glare shifted to Sebastian and I was amazed when her eyes softened. Sebastian had always said he had a way with the faculty when he wanted something, but it was all together different to watch than to hear about. He dialed his charm up to eleven, being sure to keep his eyes sincere, and brought about a boyishly innocent expression to his freckled cheeks.

"I expect her back here first thing, Sallow, you understand me?"

He smiled, warm and genuine, "Yes ma'am, understood. Thank you."

With one final check over my knee, she bustled from the room, into her office and slammed the door shut behind her. I stared open mouthed at Sebastian, who simply tossed my clothes to me.

"Get changed, we've got a party to get to!"

I laughed as I pulled them on, glad to be rid of my Quidditch robes. I immediately rolled my eyes when I saw what outfit Sebastian had pulled for me; his favorite. Green trousers and all.

At least the boy had taste.

Fastening the last clasp on my top, I poked around the corner of my curtains to see him leaning against the wall, arms folded across his chest, one leg propped up against the wall. His own brown coat hugged him magnificently, his black shirt undone at the top two buttons, his own trousers a deeper green than my own. He pushed off the wall and crossed to me, picking up another cloak I hadn't noticed.

"Put this on and let's get going, we've got plans after we stop in to see the team."

~

Just as we'd walked down to the village of Hogsmead together the first time two years ago, Sebastian was a few paces ahead of me, glancing back over his shoulder the entire time, shooting me furtive smiles and motioning for me to keep up.

I smiled at him at the arched entry to Hogsmead looming before us, the twilight sky full of early stars, each window the slanted village was glowing, warm and inviting along the cobblestone streets. He paused at the arch, holding his hand out for me to take.

My stomach fluttered, something it had always done at his touch, but this was more intense. The nostalgia of a happier and simpler time for the two of us in the wizarding village flooding through me, I took his hand in mine, relishing the instant the fluttering in my stomach turned into a raging storm. I tangled my fingers through his, pulling him back a couple paces to fall in line with my step.

"Remember the last time we were in Hogsmead?" I asked as we walked up the high street, seeing the ever looming building of The Three Broomsticks in the distance.