After All This Time// Sebastian Sallow x Reader Hogwarts Legacy Fanfiction

The next morning, I prepared for my classes, which included herbology and defense against the dark arts. 

In herbology, I couldn't help but notice Sebastian at the end of the table. I'd occasionally catch him staring, but not often enough to fret about. He probably hated me, anyways so no need to get my britches in a bunch over him. 

Professor Garlick had us playing a fun memory game with a bunch of different plants and herbs to get the year started and jog our memories. I always excelled in herbology, so it was a breeze for me and the other Slytherins. She had us teamed up by house, which meant that Sebastian was on our team. He didn't speak at all to me, but made a point to address others in the group. This bothered me a bit, no matter how hard I tried to keep it from doing so. 

After class ended, I headed out onto the school grounds to fly around on my broom. It always helped clear my mind and keep me focused. This year was all about my academics, so I needn't worry myself about the social aspects of things. I couldn't let it bother me. I needed to prepare for my N.E.W.T.s, so all focus was on the books this year. No monsters, spiders, inferi, or anything for that matter. I needed to stay on school grounds and stop being the hero for once. Just be a normal student.

Once I was done with my little excursion and I felt refreshed I returned to the castle and started to make my way to the dorms. I got distracted on the way, peering down the hall towards the Undercroft. I spent so much time there in my fifth year, but I haven't been there since. Part of me wanted to go there right now, just for old time's sake. It was always a place of comfort for me- somewhere I could go to calm down and catch my breath. 

There's always the possibility that Sebastian would be down there, but I doubt it. Today's the first day, and he'd want to be focusing on his schooling as well. I had two hours still until my next class. I could make the stop if I wanted. 

I decided to go, just for old time's sake. 

I walked in through the secret entrance in the clock, and started to make my way down the stairs. Once I almost reached the barred entrance, I heard talking. I knew that the only people that could possibly be down there were Sebastian and Ominis, so I paused. 

"She doesn't care about me anymore, so why would I try to talk to her?" I heard a deeper voice say. It was Sebastian. I still hadn't grown used to his lower voice he developed over the time we've been apart. 

"You don't know that unless you talk to her," Ominis replied to him. I slinked back into the shadows, trying to get closer without making myself known. I could hardly hear them, so I needed to be just a bit closer. I cast the disillusionment charm over myself and inched closer. 

"I haven't talked to her since the end of our fifth year, Ominis. What other opinions could she have of me?" he exclaimed. I could see into the Undercroft now, where Ominis was leaning against a pillar and Sebastian was pacing back and forth. 

"I thought you said you two had been exchanging owls at least," Ominis queried. I know for a fact we hadn't, as I'd written to him dozens of times with no response. If anything I seemed desperate, and he still didn't humor me then.

"I might've lied about that one," Sebastian said, sheepishly. "I didn't want the friendship between the two of you to suffer because of me. I've been too afraid to contact her. Just seeing her brings back all of the awful memories."

"Awful memories? From my standpoint, you seemed to enjoy every second you spent with y/n." And he said my name, solidifying my suspicions that they were talking about me. 

"Well yes, there were good times with her, but I can't help but look at things from her point of view. What would you think if one of your friends only ever contacted you when they needed something? Or they were doing something dangerous and needed backup? That's all I ever did to the poor girl, despite how much I cared about her."

"There was so much going on that year, I don't blame you for that, and I doubt she does as well," Ominis pointed out. 

I couldn't deny the fact that Sebastian might've been right, about him using me for his various escapades. I always said yes though, and that was my choice. I did it to him on several occasions as well, like when I woke in the middle of the night from my nightmares and needed a distraction. 

If only I could've been honest with him. We could've spent more time together just being ourselves and not doing anything dangerous. 

"Despite what you think, Ominis, I did use her. I was using her the whole of our fifth year! I used her to help me practice the dark arts. I needed her to help me with finding a cure for Anne... though now, I see that w- was useless..."

"Sebastian... You won't know how she feels about you unless you talk to her. You know I've always been one to tell nothing but the truth. I hate seeing you like this. Just talk to y/n, and see how she feels."

I felt that I'd listened in enough after that, and turned around and left.

I didn't know he harbored those kinds of feelings towards me. Did he still want to be my friend after all this time? It had been so long, I wasn't sure. 

I suppose I could reach out to him, but I didn't want to rush things. From the sound of it, he was still feeling big emotions about it all, and maybe he needed time.