Out of the Shadows // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Forty-Seven*****

*****Warning: This chapter contains sexually explicit adult content.*****

The week passed slowly with frequent visits from my Hogwarts Professors. All of them told me how well I did and how impressed they were with the parts of the task that I actually HAD completed. But I still felt disappointed in myself for not finishing.

And the first coherent night that I was given a dreamless sleep potion was the ONLY night they gave me one. I was plagued by nightmares. It was Azkaban. It was always Azkaban. I would wake screaming or crying or just totally stunned.

Luckily, Will was there. And since I had already told him that I had gone to prison he understood and would sit with me until I was able to fall asleep again.

In the middle of the week, the nurse discharged Bridgette and she kissed my cheeks before gracefully departing, even with her crutch. I knew she was excited to get back to her schoolmates and friends. And probably Garreth. I smiled at the thought.

And it made me think of Sebastian. I missed him. He must be going crazy. We haven't been apart this long in almost four months.

I was lucky I had Will to keep me company. He helped me with my homework and even played games with me to pass the time.

The nurse had tried to discharge him several times throughout the week but he always found a way to make her let him stay. The first time he claimed he was still dizzy and his head hurt. When she turned away, he winked at me and smiled. I knew he was doing it for me. But he was quickly running out of excuses and soon I would be left all alone to convalesce on my own.

I didn't want to be left all alone. Without Seb. Without Will. Without anyone in my support system. That's when things would get bad. When I was alone. I tried not to think about that future and just concentrated on healing as fast as I could.

I took several walks around the infirmary. My body was less sore every day, but my head would just start to feel so heavy so quickly and the dizziness would take over ... then the nausea.

Will told me that the nurse said my concussion was more severe than they had thought. I had ten stitches in the back of my head as well. But they were due to come out at the end of the week, which I couldn't wait for. I just wanted to get back to my life.

And to Seb. I missed him. A lot. I wonder what he was doing at this very moment...

"Want to play chess?" Will asked.

"Um, not really. I'm tired. I just... I miss my friends. I miss..."

"Sebastian." He sighed. "I get it. I miss my friends, too. But honestly, I've had such a good time getting to know you and... I can tell, it wouldn't be good for you to be alone right now. I will be here until you leave. I promise. I won't let them kick me out." He grinned at me, his blue eyes firm with determination.

I breathed a deep sigh of relief. He knew. He knew without even asking. "Thanks, Will."

"Do you want to talk about your boggart?" I asked him timidly. "I know it was bad. I thought maybe you'd feel better if we talked about it."

He took a deep breath, looking deeply into my eyes. Searching. For what exactly, I didn't know.

"Ok. Well, I didn't know what my greatest fear was. I'd never actually faced a boggart before. I'd only ever read about them. So, I was as surprised as you were with yours. When the cabinet opened..." he paused, staring into my eyes, that searching look returned.

I reached out and grabbed a hold of his hand and squeezed gently, encouraging him to continue.

"It was my dad. Telling me what a disappointment I am. How I don't live up to the 'Avery' name and he's ashamed to call me his son. He just... kept... telling me how... " He choked up, his blue eyes glassy with unshed tears.