"Now you're ready to talk?" I asked, turning my head to him, letting him keep a hold of my wrist.
"Yes." Sebastian sighed, then scanned me from head to toes. "You were going out. Let me come with you."
"Fine." I replied as I freed myself from his grasp.
Sebastian and I walked through the castle in silence. A few students waved at us on their way to the Great Hall. Once outside by the north exit, we kept walking to Hogsmeade. About halfway there, Sebastian finally broke the silence.
"My reaction was awfully exaggerated and misplaced. I'm sorry, Maude." Sebastian spoke.
I sighed loudly and kept walking at the same pace as him. A few steps inside the village, he spoke again.
"Okay, I deserve the silence, but I don't think we will succeed in fixing things if only one of us speaks." He scoffed.
"I know, but I'm freezing, so we'll talk when I'm sitting next to a fireplace with a butterbeer in hand." I muttered. "And let me mention it is rather bold from you to scold me for my silence and the way it will prevent us from fixing things. May I remind you that you are the one who completely ignored me for the past few days?"
Sebastian remained silent after my last remark, but it was a silence I would not blame him for. I was hoping he was letting my words sink in.
When we entered the Three Broomsticks, I Immediately headed to the table right next to the fireplace, sitting there and waiting for Sebastian, who went to grab two mugs of butterbeer from Sirona.
Sebastian came back and placed one mug in front of me and sat to my left. I leaned back in my chair, staring at my drink while Sebastian took a sip of his.
"Except for another round of apologies, was there another particular reason why you wanted us to talk?" I asked, my eyes now fixed on his.
"You were right back in the transfiguration courtyard. I was about to say things I would regret. But I thought about what you said, and I can't just flee every time I'm face to face with the mistakes I made in the past." Sebastian confessed.
"I'm glad to hear you've come to your senses." I took a sip of my butterbeer and resumed to lay back in my chair and crossed my arms.
"Maude, I know I was wrong to ignore you and be rude to you." Sebastian sighed before he leaned closer to me. "I love you. I love you and it scares me."
I uncrossed my arms and placed them to rest on the table. It was now the first time he said those words, but I was not expecting to hear them again, for now at least. Not if what Imelda said was true.
"Did you start hanging out with Imelda again?" I asked. "Is that the real reason you've been ignoring me?"
"I... I, well, no but, once I guess..." Sebastian stuttered. "On Wednesday when you left to meet Poppy, we ended up alone and we talked. She was feeling down and she seemed to need... A friend?"
"And you Sebastian Sallow, known to be the most compassionate and listening friend ever, you offered a shoulder to cry on?" I rolled my eyes upwards.
"Yes, I guess. Why, what's wrong? You've been talking to Freddie again and I didn't say anything about it."
"That's not the point!" I started, starting to get frustrated.
"Oh, you woman! You can be friends and ex, but I can't?" Sebastian scoffed, before the corner of his lips revealed a soft smile.
"I may be speaking with Freddie again, but I'm not kissing him!" I pointed out angrily, dragging the attention of a few people around.
"Excuse me?" Sebastian said confused and shocked. "I didn't kiss her! Why on earth would you think that?"
"She told me, the day after I skipped dinner." I confessed. "She also told me that she broke up with Nerida."
"Well, yes, that's why she needed to talk, she wanted advice!" Sebastian explained. "But I swear on my life, we never kissed."
"Oh, see that's the other funny thing... She wanted advice!" I let out a small laugh. "Did she tell you she had broken up with Nerida already? Nerida was with nurse Blainey because she drank a Draught of Peace Garreth brewed, trying to avoid getting a panic attack from the breakup!"
Sebastian looked down at his mug, as if he was feeling ashamed that he was played.
"No, she didn't tell me." He spoke. "But I swear, we didn't kiss. We talked and that was it! She's just trying to get to you!"
"That's what I was thinking, but... I had doubts." I confessed, which made Sebastian frustrated.
"Look, I get why you would be tempted to think the worst of me... That is exactly what I wanted to avoid." Sebastian sighed.
"I know, but just pushing me away is not the way to avoid that from happening. I mean, okay yes, it is a way of doing that, but that doesn't mean you should! Far from that actually." I explained. "I love you too, and I really want us to try. We came this far and went through so much. We can figure this out!"
"You're right, of course you're right." Sebastian placed a hand on top of mine and gave it a little squeeze. "I'll make it up to you, alright?"
"I count on it. You owe me a date!" I teased him.
"Bloody hell, you're right, I said I'd take you on a date Friday." Sebastian rolled his eyes upwards in slapped his forehead. "Okay, so it won't sound romantic at all, but will you accompany me to the Yule Ball next Saturday?"
"Of course I will!" I answered. "I can't risk Imelda taking her shot at trying to get you to invite her!"
"Really funny!" Sebastian said sarcastically. "Now, it's a shame we've got classes tomorrow..."
"Why's that?" I asked.
"We don't have time for a weekend getaway to Feldcroft. I would make it up to you for a whole two days!" Sebastian exclaimed.
I let out an amused laugh and finish my butterbeer. Sebastian and I left and hurried back to the castle to catch the end of the dinner. We managed to get there in time to eat a quick bite as still a lot of students were finishing to eat.
Now that Poppy and Ominis were enjoying some alone time every now and then in the undercroft, we couldn't go there anymore when we wanted some sneaking out of our own. The room of requirements was now our new place of choice.
"That's a shame there's no bed in here." Sebastian stated as pulled my hips closer to his body.
"I know, but I made the effort to conjure us this nice couch, at the end of my room hidden behind all my potions stations!" I scoffed.
"Poppy can barge in anytime now, thanks to you." He pointed out.
"Come on, Deek could come here at any moment too and it never bothered you!" I laughed. "Besides, she would go in the vivarium, not down here and you know it."
"Deek is not the same, I'm telling you, that house elf has a sense for these things, he knows better than to look for us when I'm in here with you!"
"Okay okay, enough chit chat. You're supposed to apologize." I told him.
"Oh, that kind of apologies, huh?" Sebastian smiled as he sat down on the couch.
He kept holding my hands, pulling on them so that I would get closer and sit next to him. I took place besides him and put my legs on his lap, my body turned to him. His hand ran on my thigh, from my knee up to my butt.
"Kiss me." Sebastian ordered me.
I took his face in my hands and reached for his lips. We kissed more and more, our breath getting heavier. Sebastian pulled away to take off his shirt. I copied him and took my top off.
I got up quickly and went to stand in front of him.
"Where are you going?" He asked, both his muscled arms resting over the back of the couch.
"I'm not going anywhere." I spoke softly, before my hands reached for my pants and pushed them down on my legs, letting myself get completely naked in front of him.
"Oh, don't mind me, I enjoy the view!" Sebastian teased me.
I glanced at him and smiled from the corner of my mouth. I got down on my knees in front of him, between each of his legs. He watched my every move as I was undoing his pants. He lifted his butt, allowing me to take his pants off completely.
"I want to try something..." I shushed.
"If you're sure, then yes. Please." Sebastian whispered as my hands were already gently stroking his cock.
I leaned my head over and spat on it, wetting my hands as I kept stroking it with now assumed but still gentle movements.
I brought my lips close to the tip of his dick and put my mouth over it, about an inch in, applying pressure with my lips on it. Sebastian let out a soft moan as I ran my tongue on it.
My hand kept stroking his cock, my mouth following the same pace, sucking it gently. As I got more comfortable, I let go of my hand movements, just to hold it in place at the base, allowing me to take it in deeper in my mouth. Every time my lips would get closer to the tip, I would apply more pressure.
After a few minutes, I pulled away to take a few breaths. I slowly licked it from the base up to the tip, where I took it all in again. My mouth was taking it on and on quicker, making Sebastian moan a little more at every stroke of my tongue. One of his hands grabbed my hair and pulled on it. I was afraid he would push my head rougher down on his cock, but he didn't. He let me do it at my own rhythm.
His breath was heavier now, so were mine. I must admit, I was starting to like it. There was a particular satisfaction to hear him and see his body react to what I was doing to him. Somehow, it made me feel in control and I liked it.
Sebastian was holding my head with both his hand, still following my beat.
"Fu**! Faster!" Sebastian moaned.
I took a deep breath then started going down faster on him, making sure he could feel my tongue rubbing against his cock. I felt it starting to pulse inside my mouth as Sebastian let out louder moans. A warm liquid spread inside my mouth, which took me by surprise even though it was to be expected. I made sure to keep my lips sealed onto his dick until I stopped feeling it pulsing. I swallowed it all, making me do a sour face, but it was quickly over.
Sebastian let out a deep sigh of satisfaction, leaning his head backwards.
"Wow, that was amazing! You didn't have to!" Sebastian said. "Thanks, love."
I got up and sat next to him on the couch again, cuddling him and resting my head on his chest. He placed a quick soft kiss on my forehead before he started gently stroking my hair.
"We should head off to bed soon, but now you owe me an orgasm too." I teased him.
"Oh, trust me. I'll pay you back just fine!"
After cooling down a little, we put our clothes back on and headed to the common room. I didn't mind focusing on him tonight, I rather enjoyed it. But then, I guess you could say I have that people-pleaser fiber, or else I wouldn't have spent all sixth year running errands for my friends.
Imelda and Nerida were asleep, thankfully. I managed to take a quick shower and climb into bed without waking either one of them up.
The next three days went smoothly, everyone was getting excited about the upcoming Yule Ball. I would be last minute to plan, but Poppy and I decided we would go shopping on Friday for a dress. I'm sure Mr. Hill would have some amazing last-minute dress for us, he always has everything! At least, I was trusting he would.
Thursday morning, Sebastian and I were sitting together at the back of professor Hecat's class.
"Where were you the past two days?" I asked Sebastian. "You left after dinner, and I didn't saw you again before I went to bed."
"Were you afraid I was with Imelda?" Sebastian asked jokingly.
"No, she was snoring like a train both nights, a few feet away from me." I spoke.
"I was just doing some research. Well, in fact, I was hoping to show you something tonight." Sebastian admitted.
"After dinner?" I asked.
"Yes, I'll take you there after dinner."
"Where? Is it a romantic date?" I joked.
"No, nothing of the sort." Sebastian replied reluctantly.
I didn't push for more information, I would see for myself later tonight anyway.
We ate dinner with Ominis and Nerida. Ominis was trying to cheer her up lately, as if he was feeling sorry for how Imelda broke things up with her, and kind of played her too.
Imelda had successfully gained the pity of Freddie, who was now eating with her alone at the other end of the table. She clearly just wanted not to be alone, but then I guess Freddie was just glad to get a break from having to eat with Sebastian.
Early enough, we left Ominis and Nerida to finish their dinner without us, as Sebastian and I ate quickly and headed off to wherever he was taking me.
We walked back to the dungeons, standing in front of the common room.
"So, you just wanted an early night? You could've just said so!" I joked.
"No, we're not going back into the common room!" Sebastian sighed then looked around to see if there were other students.
No one was around, as most people were still in the Great Hall enjoying their dinner.
"I didn't tell you back that day you received the crystal, but I read about it back last year when I went through all books possible to find a cure for Anne." Sebastian started.
"Oh Sebastian, I'm not sure I like where you are going..." I worried.
"I know, I know, but please listen." He pleaded, then I nodded. "As Ominis said, it's a dark form of magic. One can remove memories and store it in an object, with the help of curses."
"Like a pensieve?" I asked.
"Not really, see with a pensieve, you still keep your memory, it's more like you make a copy of it. With the curse I read about, it is like a more advanced and darker version of Legilimency. It is most likely a seer that did that, or someone who practiced the dark arts a lot." Sebastian explained.
"Why not obliviate me?" I wondered.
"As Ominis also said... Damn he's smart that kid, but anyway, as he said, it's clear whoever did that wanted you to remember, somewhere along the way, at a moment of his choice. I'd say people who use that kind of magic are clearly adept of manipulating people, so it's some sort of sick game, I guess?" Sebastian suggested.
"Maybe, but I need to know more. I was hoping Tom could help."
"I know, but in the meantime, we should still look for clues." Sebastian said. "It brings me back to what I first told you, that I remembered reading about it. It wasn't relevant at the time, but I knew where I had read about it..." Sebastian marked a long hesitant pause.
"Well then, where did you read it?"
"In Salazar Slytherin's book..." Sebastian finally confessed. "But as you know, Anne destroyed it."
"And she did good!" I stated.
"Maude, I know it's the last thing you want to hear about, especially coming from me. But I must be honest and tell you I thought about it... We could go back into the scriptorium and look for other books or writings about it!"
"I can't believe you would suggest that! Have you gone back on your own?" I questioned Sebastian.
"I wanted to, in fact that's where I was planning to go the night I hung out with Imelda instead. But no, I didn't go back since last time with you and Ominis." He affirmed.
"Then how do you know we can go back the same way we left it the last time?"
"Okay, you got me. But apparently the same way you know how to go back too..." Sebastian looked at me with a half proud and half judging smirk.
"I was curious! I just didn't want Ominis to find out, but it was just an in and out. I felt creeped out going back there alone." I confessed.
"Same. Now, do you want us to go and look?" Sebastian suggested.
"I don't like that... Last time you know how easy it all spiraled down. Maybe we should tell Ominis." I told him.
"Maybe. But let's tell him after. We're here now." Sebastian stated.
"Alright, lead the way..." I gave in.
Sebastian and I walked to the hidden passage back to the scriptorium. We made sure no one was around. Sebastian pressed on a spot of the stone wall, and it slid open, allowing us to make our way in.
"It gives me chill to be here again..." I let out as I walked in carefully.
"Sorry about that." Sebastian replied. "Maybe a mug of mysterious ancient drink would ease your worries?"
"Oh no, don't remind me. I don't even know what it was, but it wasn't water!" I grimaced at the thought of that awful and smelly drink I had last time we were in here.
"I don't even know why you drank that. It has been sitting there for years!" Sebastian laughed. "At least we know you've got a strong immune system. I thought you would've died of poisoning."
"Good, now what do you say we resume to searching? I want to get out of here as soon as possible." I said while scanning the bookshelves, going through all the scrolls I could find.
Sebastian walked down the stairs to the other part of the scriptorium, looking thoroughly at every book, every piece of parchment he could find.
When I thought I checked everything and was starting to feel hopeless that we would find something here, Sebastian spotted a book that had fallen behind a small bookshelf. He moved it and grabbed the book from off the floor.
He rubbed the cover and read the title out loud.
"A complete guide to manipulating witches and wizards' minds." Sebastian read. "Oh, well, couldn't be any clearer what this book is about!"
"Who wrote it?" I asked.
"It doesn't say. Maybe it was Slytherin." Sebastian answered.
"Open it!" I instructed him.
Sebastian opened the book and placed it on the desk. He quickly went over the pages, reading the subjects to try and see if he would find what we were looking for.
"There!" Sebastian finally said after several minutes. "It mentions a curse, created by... It doesn't say. But it was meant to preserve memories coming from one's mind, while hiding it from that same person apparently. You have to transfer the memory into an object."
Sebastian started to read it to me. "In order to transfer one's memory, you must master Legilimency, as you will need to dive into one's mind and find the souvenir you wish to extract. It is possible to cast the imperius curse on the target, prior to the extraction of the memory, if they are not being cooperative enough. Be warned that if using this curse, there are chances of completely altering or erasing the memories, therefore failing to properly do the transfer."
"Is that it? Does it say how to retrieve it?" I asked eagerly
"No, that's all. But I guess you could do the opposite, or just as you experienced it, being in contact with it can give you your memory back." Sebastian suggested.
"But I didn't. I remember what I saw, but I don't remember living that moment." I specified.
"What if it's because you need all the pieces before being able to retrieve your memories?" Sebastian thought.
"Would make sense, but if that's so, how on earth am I supposed to find all the fragments if I don't know who did that to me?" I said disappointed.
"I don't know, but that's a start. Though we should go now, we've been here long enough." Sebastian pointed out.
"Wow you are a changed man! You begged us to come here the first time, now you can't wait to leave?" I joked.
"I don't like thinking of what I had to do to get here the first time..." Sebastian admitted. "Anyway, do you want to bring the book with you? I think we can agree it's not the best idea that I keep it."
I grabbed the book and we casted the disillusionment charm before going out, just in case students would be passing by as we got out.
Sebastian and I kissed goodbye in the common room, and I headed into my room, where I carefully placed the book in my nightstand before changing into my night gown and going to bed.
__________
Here we go again! Will it be different this time, or was it the first step for Sebastian to go down that path again?