Out of the Shadows // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Thirty-Seven

I had a meeting with Professor Weasley first thing this morning. She was waiting for me outside the common room the moment I left to head for breakfast. She told me that I needed to have an assessment done about what I had learned sixth year, since I hadn't actually finished it and didn't participate in final exams.

I followed her to her office quickly and demonstrated a few spells, answered a few questions about plants and potions. And described some new knowledge on runes. The ones imbedded in my right forearm to be exact. She didn't seem uncomfortable about it at all, though.

She was confident I had learned enough to be a full-fledged seventh year but suggested I get a tutor for my advanced potions and ancient runes classes; in case the work was overwhelming. Luckily, I had the perfect tutor in mind...

But I was distracted during classes all day. The strange note I had received last night afforded me no sleep. I had so many questions. But something inside me was screaming the answers. I just didn't want to believe them.

It was my twin brother. I knew it had to be. It must be. It was the only answer. And the mysterious nature of the whole thing was telling me this was bad. That he was not reaching out to just say "Hey, I'm your long-lost brother, let's be friends." My guts were all twisted up, knowing somehow that this was a bad sign. I just knew that his note to me was a threat. Not a sweet promise of a future meeting. A clear threat.

And I hadn't told a soul.

I lay there last night. Looking at my ceiling and worrying. I think I slept a total of an hour. But I was scared. And worried. I knew if I had just gone down the hall and crawled in bed with Seb, he would hold me and kiss me, and I'd be asleep in no time. But then I would have had to explain why I was there...

I don't know why I was keeping it a secret from him. It just felt so very private. And with the threat that I knew it was, I didn't want to burden him again. He would spring into action, and it would go badly. We had a pattern. I was trying to avoid that, I suppose.

But all of this drove me to intense distraction. Which he noticed. As he never took his eyes off me. The entire day. We had charms together and then Defence Against the Dark Arts. Lunch and then I was off to Double Ancient Runes while he went to Arithmancy. And by the time dinner rolled around, he had obviously hit his limit with my quiet demeanor all day.

He dropped his fork loudly to his plate and exhaled deeply. "Ok, Rach. What is going on? You haven't spoken two words all day and your worry crease in your forehead hasn't disappeared once."

"Nothing. It's just first day stuff. Lots of homework and all."

"I know that's not it. Did your meeting with Professor Weasley not go well?"

I used this turn to my advantage to avoid the real issue. "Actually, she suggested I get a tutor for some of my classes. I've been meaning to ask you... would you be my little potions buddy?" I tried to be a little flirtatious to distract him. "I expect many hot hours in front a steaming cauldron." I leaned over and kissed his warm cheek.

"Of course, love. Anything to assist you... in your studies." It worked somewhat as I could see the desire in his eyes. But it was fleeting and his worry and frustration were back quickly. "Is that really all there is to your distraction today?"

"Yes. Of course. Also, I'll have to find a Runes tutor. Since you're not in that class...."

He interrupted me. "Actually, I spoke with Professor Sharp today. About some possible career options. And I'm missing some requirements so I may be joining that class. We could tutor each other." His eyes were back to being flirty again.

"I'd love that." I smiled genuinely at him.

"I had switched to Arithmancy at Ominis' insistence but honestly, he's better with numbers. I don't think it's my thing. And if I want to be a Curse Breaker, I'm going to need Ancient Runes class back."