Out of the Shadows // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Twelve

I lay in my bed looking at the ceiling running last night through my mind repeatedly as I twirled the Slytherin necklace around and around my fingers.

Omi's lips on mine were so soft and smooth. He was so gentle. He didn't try to push me for more or for answers to things I didn't have answers to. And he smelled like a forest... it was nice.

After he kissed me and stepped back, I was just stunned. I could have stood there all through the night and not known what to say or do. Truthfully, I had never thought of him in a romantic way. Never once. I mean, I OBVIOUSLY had been thinking about how attractive he was. How could anyone not?

But this was something different. He had made his feelings perfectly clear last night. The book, the nervousness, the necklace, the kiss. And now I needed to figure out what I was going to do with that information. It seemed like this was his way of saying "the ball's in your court, Rach."

So, I lay here. Contemplating. Do I have feelings, real romantic feelings, for my best friend?

It took me all summer to get over my last crush on a boy. And I'm not even sure I'm over it yet to be totally honest.

And here I thought nothing could top my fifteenth year! Sixteen sure started off with a bang! I rolled over and buried my face into my pillow and let out a good scream.

I decided I couldn't lay in bed all day. Today was Hogsmeade day. Time to get my supplies for a new school year which officially starts the day after tomorrow. I was excited. And nervous. I couldn't help but think about Sebastian.

Was he going to be there? How would he react to seeing me? Did he WANT to see me? Was he even coming back at all? Sixth year is an important year. I couldn't imagine him missing it.

Ok. So, forget him. What about me? How would I handle it if he wasn't there? How would I handle it if he was? Damn. My mind was a swirling mess.

That's it. Get out of bed. Stop thinking about boys. I mentally chastised myself. It was time I took hold of my future. I'm better than that... letting two boys rock my world so much that I laid in bed until TEN O'CLOCK! I had just looked at the clock. Crap. I needed to get going.

--

My last two days in Lower Hogsfield with Mrs. Bickle and Archie dragged by so slowly. I managed to get all my new supplies from Hogsmeade, help Mrs. Bickle get her garden back to her usual state and pack everything up for my inevitable return to Hogwarts.

On my last evening with them, Mrs. Bickle made a huge meal and we all reminisced about the summer. Laughing and talking until late. These two people had become my family. I was so very lucky to have found them.

The gratitude I held for Mrs. Bickle was boundless. She was truly one of those rare souls that open their doors to sad orphans and treat them like family. It was rare indeed to find someone so caring. I was going to miss both of them. Archie was like a little brother to me. We hit each other a lot. We laughed. We played. It was the best summer of my life. And, in a way, I was sad to see it go. But I was so ready to return to Hogwarts. And I had a feeling it had little to do with attending classes...

As I closed up my trunk and readied to head back to the castle, I couldn't help remembering my first night in this room. Falling asleep in the bathtub... I shook my head. So embarrassing. Three long and yet short somehow, months ago.

Mrs. Bickle and Archie waited outside for me by the Floo. Mrs. Bickle had tears in her eyes but Archie had a smile on his face.

"Why are you smiling, Little Bowtruckle?" I greeted him with my new affectionate nickname for him.