Out of the Shadows // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Forty-Nine

"Rachel. Rach." A warm hand was stroking my cheek. I opened my eyes slowly to see his warm brown eyes right in front of me. He looked so attractive and caring. I almost reached out to touch him... and then I remembered how mad I was at him. My brow furrowed.

I sighed and got up off the chair that I had drifted off in in the early morning hours.

"Sorry, I must have dozed off." My voice thick with sleep.

"It's ok, love, it happens." He said, trying to reach out to hold me.

I didn't let him. I just started walking to the dorm door.

"Wait. Please don't go again. It kills me when we fight." His voice was full of regret and love.

"Me too. Maybe you should think about that a bit. I'm spending today with Will." I turned to the dorm, entered and shut the door. I changed quickly and grabbed my schoolbag. I reemerged into the common area and went straight to the outdoor flap. I didn't look around at all, so I didn't even know if he was there watching me.

I walked briskly through the cold morning, pulling up my fur cloak tightly. I entered the castle and went straight to that hall where Will had showed me his dormitory was. I leaned up against the wall and waited.

Several Durmstrang students exited the dorm and walked past me, looking, whispering.... The usual.

Eventually, he emerged. Looking down. And like he hadn't slept either. He was about to walk right past me.

"Good morning, bro!" I said brightly.

He stopped and looked at me. A broad smile crawling across his face, his eyes lighting up.

"Hey, sis!" He said jokingly to echo my sentiment.

"Do you want to have breakfast with me? Or rather... can I have breakfast with you?" I asked.

"Of course." We were smiling at each other and made our way to the dining hall.

"So, what happened? Can I ask?"

"You most certainly can ask. I was taught a valuable lesson last night. Apparently, there are absolutely no secrets between siblings. Or best friends for that matter. Even if you think they were said in confidence." He looked at me, confused. "We had a fight. And he's been telling everything I've been telling him to his sister and best friend. Who also happens to be my ex-boyfriend. And... it's all very complicated. But anyway, he forced me to choose between you two last night and it pissed me off."

He just looked like he was absorbing information, not having a personal reaction.

"So, today, I'm choosing you. And I learned not to choose your boyfriend over your brother. Blood is thicker than water." I said with a smile. He finally looked back at me, and his smile echoed mine.

"I'm glad. I would choose you, too. Over anyone or anything." He agreed with me.

"Well, now that we've got that settled..." We both laughed. "Is it ok if I spend the day with you? I mean sit with you in class and meals and stuff? I'd love to spend more time with you if that's ok." I asked shyly.

"Yes. Yes, please!" He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and squeezed tightly for a second and released me. It felt so normal. Like we were meant to be this way.

"So, I have a very important question for you..." He said, sounding serious.

"Ok, shoot."

"What is your favorite food?"

I laughed aloud. "Well, I have a few favorites. My mum makes this roast that is to DIE FOR. Literally. I used to daydream about it in Azkaban. Drove me madder than the dementors!"