Under Your Scars || Sebastian Sallow x MC

Chapter 6 - The Three Broomsticks

Sebastian POV

I couldn't help but feel like an arse for putting so much pressure on Juliette. Whatever was going on, whatever brought her back to Hogwarts had reduced her to tears. 

And she had called us 'friends'. 

I hoped this meant that she would be honest with me eventually. I decided to abandon my Auror interrogation methods and just try trusting her, for now. 

As we crossed the covered bridge into Hogsmeade Juliette pulled her hood over her head. I imagined she wanted to be able to walk through without being recognized. As a student, she couldn't step foot into Hogsmeade without someone mentioning her heroics during the troll attack. Now, she was 'Daily Prophet  famous'. 

My chest tightened with anxiety as we approached The Three Broomsticks. I'd gotten so lost in thought on our walk here I forgot that this was our destination. 

You can do this. It's just one visit. 

The Three Broomsticks seemed empty, for a Friday. Only one patron sat at the bar and a couple sat at a table in the corner. This emboldened Juliette to remove her hood as we approached the bar. 

Before we could sit down, we heard our names from the bartender. 

"Is that... Juliette! Sebastian!"

Sirona was scurrying around the bar and coming toward us with open arms. She wrapped us both into hug, sandwiching me and Juliette together. I felt a shock of static as Juliette's hands pressed against mine. 

Sirona ushered us to a table in the corner by the fireplace, pulling out chairs for us and taking a seat across from us.

"Where's your third companion, Mr. Gaunt? I feel like it was always the three of you."

"Oh. Uh.. well.." 

Juliette quickly interrupted, "He and his new wife are traveling in America, Poppy is studying and trying to rebuild relations between MACUSA and the sasquatches. Ominis insisted on going along with her. He's quite protective."

I could not help but stare at Juliette, mouth agape. She was keeping up with my supposed best friend better than I was. 

I'm such a bloody twit. 

Sirona sighed, "They got married! Ah, young love. You know, I remember their first date was right here at this table," she said, patting the table with her hands. "So how about you two, I heard you went off to the Auror Programme together. Finally decided to settle down and tie the knot?"

She winked. Juliette shifted in her chair, her cheeks flush with embarrassment at Sirona's suggestion. "Oh, we aren't together."

Sirona raised an eyebrow at me, eyes carefully shifting to Juliette and then back to me as if to say 'Why haven't you made a move on this exquisite woman?'.

Trust me Sirona, I asked myself the same question for years. That ship has sailed. 

The awkwardness was palpable so Sirona quickly changed the subject, directing her attention to Juliette. 

"I'd ask what you've been up to but The Daily Prophet beat you to it!" She nodded over her shoulder to the bulletin board behind the bar, full of articles and photos of former students' accomplishments. I spotted a fair share of wedding invitations, Imelda Reyes posing with the Irish National Quidditch Team.  There was even an article bearing my name, touting the success of a raid I'd lead for the Auror Office.