Chapter Text
Classes were postponed for two days while the professors improved their defences around Hogwarts, and repaired any damage the battle below had caused. The students for the most part weren't sure what had happened that day, just that a life was lost; they were happy to have free days, though.
Cahly spent the two days away from the castle as much as she could. The chatter and happy students was too much for her, and she needed some silence. Most of her time was spent on the lake, floating around aimlessly while lost in her own thoughts, occasionally throwing toast in the air for the squid to catch. Sebastian kept himself busy, studying up for their upcoming exams as much as he could; his sister refused to see him, and Ominis told him it was best if he left her alone. For the first time in the school year, Sebastian really listened to Ominis.
There was an announcement throughout the school on the third day following the battle, that there would be a special memorial for Professor Fig, and then their classes would resume that afternoon.
The students gathered and sat silently as Professor Weasley honoured Professor Fig with her words. Cahly sat alone at the back of the hall, trying to hold back her tears. Sebastian stood up from his seat at the Slytherin table and went back to her, sitting beside her in solidarity. She'd been alone long enough, and he wanted to be by her side. She held onto his hand and rested her head on his shoulder.
"I am sorry for the Professor. I didn't know him as well as you, but I know how you feel." Sebastian paused, "I wish I could've done something like this for my uncle.."
"Thank you for being here." She whispered, squeezing his hand tighter. "I am sorry about your uncle, as well."
"It's been a difficult year, I wish we could've had a different first year together." Sebastian kissed the top of her head gently.
"It definitely was not the year I expected, but I wouldn't trade my time with you."
He blushed at her sweet sentiment. "Hey… I heard a rumour going around that you had been taken by Victor Rookwood, is he…?" Sebastian asked tentatively.
"It's true." Cahly nodded, "It was after… well after the Catacomb. He tried to get me to help him take the repository. He chose a bad day to bother me. I was going to tell you…"
"It's alright, I understand. It's been a rough few days for all of us."
"About Rookwood…" Cahly sat quietly for a moment, and decided it was best to tell Sebastian about Rookwood; she explained about the goblins not being the ones who cursed his sister. "It was always Rookwood. He can't hurt us anymore."
"I... But I thought..." Sebastian didn't understand; it'd had to have been goblins. He'd been so sure. "I have been wrong all this time. Thank you for telling me."
He let go of her hand and stared down at the floor; he'd been so angry and hurt for so long, and it had been directed at the wrong people. He'd been misguided the whole time. She hated seeing him so hurt, but knew it was important that he knew the truth, because it could help him to let go and heal. Unfortunately, the truth about the spell used to curse Anne died with Rookwood, so they may truly never know how to help his sister.
"I'm so sorry, for all I've done." Sebastian's hands began to shake; he'd been holding back his fragile state for Cahly's sake. "Anne won't speak to me. I don't blame her, I wouldn't blame all of you if you never forgave me. I will spend my life trying to make it right." Sebastian looked back at her, brushing her stray hair behind her ear. "I'd understand if you didn't want to be with me anymore."
Cahly put her arms around him, her fingers tenderly brushing through his hair. "Sebastian.... I have always believed in you, ever since our first meeting, I knew you were worth believing in. I will always be by your side."
"I am so grateful you came to Hogwarts. You've always understood me." He buried his face in her shoulder, breathing in that fresh blackberry and chocolate he loved.
"It's you and me." She whispered.
They held each other for a few moments; Cahly found her way to his lips, and kissed him deeply. His hands came to cup her face, returning her tender affection. They ignored the students beginning to filter out of the Great Hall, and the rumours whispering back and forth between the student body as they all stole glances.
Sebastian smiled as their lips parted, and he gently kissed her nose before helping her to her feet, brushing the stray tears that escaped her eyes as they stood. "I'll do anything to make you smile."
Cahly gave it some thought as she pressed her forehead against his. "Will you take my OWLs for me?"
"Absolutely, as long as you are fine with failing them." He grinned, overjoyed as she let out a small laugh.
"He's not kidding, I'll be amazed if he passes any of them." Ominis said, coming up behind him and slapping his shoulder.
"No faith at all." Sebastian pretended to be offended, putting his hand to his forehead dramatically.
"You two, what will I do with you?" Cahly laughed again; it was the first time she'd felt lighter in a long time.
"You will try to keep us awake in History Class, I hope." Ominis offered as they made their way out of the Great Hall.
Ominis fell asleep first, he looked like he was having a wonderful dream. The ghostly professor never seemed to mind students falling asleep, he just enjoyed talking endlessly about the topics he loved, regardless of who listened. Sebastian tried hard to stay awake, so that at least one of them would be able to recap the class for the other two. His eyes blinked furiously as he leaned his chin in his hand.
Sebastian could see Cahly was giving up on staying awake. He smiled and found that he couldn't stop the words from coming out. "I love you." He whispered.
The monotonous droning of the professor took hold of Cahly; she leaned her head on Sebastian's shoulder, "I love you, too." She murmured, and for the first time in a long time, she drifted into a peaceful sleep.
-
The OWLs exams came and went, and Sebastian passed with flying colors. Cahly did well, but not as well as he did, which was understandable given this was her first year at Hogwarts.
"You said you'd fail!" She grumbled, giving his arm a smack.
"I may have downplayed my brilliance, a little." Sebastian chuckled, trying to dodge her mock fury.
"Oh, of course. You're too arrogant to believe you can fail." Cahly hopped on her broom.
"Exactly, you should've known better." He nodded, getting on his broom as well.
"I will shove you off that thing."
"No, you won't." He gave her a cocky grin and took off to the top of the school.
They settled on the roof of the highest tower; sitting down, Sebastian pulled her in close. The sun began to set, and they watched the brilliant colours blend across the sky, and the stars begin to twinkle.
"The year is almost over." Cahly whispered, snuggled in close to him.
"You'll visit me of course, over the summer?" Sebastian asked, petting her hair.
"Of course. I can't leave Ominis alone with you constantly, the poor boy would go insane." She giggled. "I am glad he'll stay with you this summer, so you're not alone."
"It wasn't difficult to convince him. I'm much better company than his family."
Anne had said a dark wizard, working with Ranrok, killed her uncle. The Ministry went with her word, and continued their efforts to stamp out what was left of his rabble after the events at the school. She had left Feldcroft, not saying where she was going, so their family home was empty, waiting for Sebastian's return.
"Do you think we will have another eventful term next year?" Cahly asked, looking up at him.
Sebastian kissed her forehead lightly. "Merlin, I hope not."
The stars blanketed the darkened sky, and the moon came out to greet them with its brilliant shine. As they sat, the darkness crept into Sebastian's mind, and he hugged her tighter.
"Am I… enough for you?" He thought about his poor family home, and had a nagging belief that he had nothing to offer her, especially since he had to live with the guilt of murdering his uncle. "I put you through a lot this year."
"Sebastian…" Cahly looked out over the school quietly for a moment. "I could collect all the stars, and steal all the gold from Gringotts, and none of it would be enough, without you."
They stayed on the rooftop a little while longer, before finally venturing back down to the grounds. Walking hand in hand back to their common room, they faced the end of the term and all the possibilities before them together, just as they'd done all year.