Chapter Text
Sebastian knew that he shouldn’t be there. After everything he had done in the span of a few months, he didn’t have the right to keep an eye on you, even if it was just to calm his nerves. He watched you delicately weave through the throes of people in Hogsmeade, drifting close to Olivanders shop; a hand hovering over your wand in your rider's jacket pocket. He told himself that he was simply watching as a silent protector; a guardian on your quest for the Keepers. Of course, he knew that his reasoning was not truly sound.
Sebastian missed you, terribly. He knew that the depths he went for his dear sister, Anne, wouldn’t be forgiven easily. He didn’t forgive himself, and likely never would to the fullest extent. He took a life . Not only any life, someone he knew personally, someone close to him through blood. He would never forget the look on his sister's face after casting him forcefully into one of the catacomb pillars. Never forget her screams for her uncle, and the betrayal lacing her voice with venom before she disapparated.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he watched you slink into the wand shop, subtly checking your surroundings for a certain man in a top hat or his goblin friend. You were smart, Sebastian mused. He was sure you knew that they wouldn’t venture into the streets at this time of day, at least not with the idea of starting a quarrel with a lone fifth year. Then again, that didn’t stop the taller of the two dark wizards from an attempted “discussion” the last time the two were in Hogsmeade together alone.
He began to move closer to the shop. Around him the sun was slowly setting over the horizon and students were beginning to make their way back to the castle before curfew, giggling amongst their friends after likely having too many butterbeers. Sebastian was worried, frankly, about his dear charge. He had seen you and Professor Fig whispering to each other conspiratorially before you began your journey to the small town. The thought of you venturing alone to complete one of the Keepers tasks set his teeth on edge. You both had talked earlier in the day after you stumbled upon him in the Undercroft. He knew your opinion on his help, and he knew that you didn’t quite forgive him yet. He didn’t blame you, of course. Still, he had to make sure you were safe, even if it wasn’t directly next to you like he preferred.
Sebastian stared resolutely at the ornate door leading into Olivanders, his eyes flickering from there to the snowy buildings in his peripherals in order to keep an eye out for trouble. Well, other trouble. You yourself were trouble on its own. As much as he’d like to have plausible deniability, you and your troublemaker ways caused a flutter in his chest. He reveled in your need for adventure, as well as your quick wit and ability to cause chaos with a simple word. He was utterly smitten, and the thought alone made an uncomfortable warmth grow in his chest. He thought of your times together in the Undercroft, nestled between Ominis and him on the conjured settee, papers strewn about in front of you three on the floor and surrounding crates. He longed for those simple times again.
Before him, the door slowly creaked open and your head peered around the corners. He breathed a soft sigh of relief, thankful that you seemed safe and unharmed. You quickly disapparated an intricate wand box in your hand, likely to the Room of Requirement. Wondering what Professor Fig could possibly want with a random wand, he picked himself up out of the snow where he was resting, dusting himself off in the process, before following your lead.
The setting sun danced across the ground, illuminating the stark presence making its way towards you. Sebastian raised his eyes to you once more and watched Rookwood step into your line of sight. Sebastian’s eyebrows furrowed at the wicked man, his wand making its way back into his palm. He gripped it tightly, the wood rough against his skin.
You, on the other hand, did not seem as surprised by the intrusion. He saw you flip your wand out of your sleeve, preparing to duel for your safe passage. Rookwood threw his head back in pugnacious laughter at a, most likely cutting, remark from you, his own hand drifting to where his wand lay in his suit jacket.
Sebastian’s eyes darted around to the conjoining buildings flanking the quarrel, desperate for a way to get closer without being seen. He moved swiftly through the alleyway shadows until he was close enough to hear the commotion between you two. You were obviously angry. Your stance was strong and dangerous, your wand raised to your eye level in a defense. If he wasn’t so focused on the idea of you being in danger, he would be proud of how far you’ve come in your magical studies. Gone was the person unsure of their movements and words, and before him now stood an invincible force of nature. The fire behind your eyes, though, hadn’t changed since the first time he met your gaze in the unforgiving chill of the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. Your ire could melt even the coldest of glaciers. Steadily, he creeped even closer to the two of you, just barely catching the end of your conversation. Victor Rookwood’s grating voice cut through the muffled sound of the falling snow, leaving Sebastian’s blood frozen in his veins and his heart in his throat—
“Like I’ve always said, children should be seen and not heard.”
The Sallow boy dropped his wand in shock, the air being knocked from his lungs. Words hissed long ago to his sister came to light once more under the winter moon. He’d dreamed of the day that he would finally meet the person responsible for his sister's torment. For his torment. Never had he imagined it would be the man in front of him. You were just as shocked as he was, your wand minutely lowering as if with a mind of its own.
With a flash, almost like a trick of the light, you were there and then you were gone, disapparated away by one of Rookwood’s lackeys with the villain himself following soon after.
The young wizard stood helpless in the shadows of the town, mystified by the footprints and the lone wand remaining where you once stood. Your name fell like tears from his mouth in a silent gasp. Sebastian began to panic. Where could they have taken you? What was he to do? He had half a mind to go after you on his own, but he knew that it would be a suicide mission. He dared to think that it would still be worth it. After everything you’d done for him, he would die for you ten times over.
Sebastian felt a sense of dread wash over him. He knew that he had to act fast, lest he never find you alive. He knew he needed help. You were right about him before, he didn’t know when to stop. He had pushed you as far as he could believing that him alone could solve all of his problems. He knew now that the world didn’t rest solely on his shoulders. Picking up your fallen wand, as well as his own, the freckled boy quickly made his way back to the castle.