Secrets of Sallow

Chapter 8 [Book 2]

But even worse, confining in the Gaunts for help. Was he really far gone? 

He of all people should not how terrible it was to ask the Gaunts for help, he was Ominis' best friend for Merlin's sake. Brother even. 

But here he was, exchanging letters with Ominis' father, the man who destroyed his son, the man that Ominis estranged himself from.

What he was asking the Gaunts for, I didn't know, but I didn't need to know. Talking to the Gaunts was enough for me to see him differently. 

I watched his body language and could tell he was trying to think of a way of talking his way out.

"Y/N, darling."

I held a hand up, "no, no darling."

I exhaled shakily, "just - just tell me."

He held his head down, his bangs shadowing his eyes as he shook his head.

"I can't."

I just shook my head at him, disapprovingly as I just yelled at him. It's all I could do right now.

"Leave! Just - just go back to the common room, Sallow!"

His eyes widened at the use of his surname, "Y/N -"

"Please", I whispered.

He just nodded before turning back, leaving me with Ashok. The letter is still on the ground. 

I turned my attention to Ashok and ran to his aid. 

This may hurt. 

He just nodded, bracing himself.

"Episkey."

He winced in pain as I healed the very broken nose and some of the bruises made by Sebastian. 

"The bruises will still be there, but it's the best I can do."

He muttered a quick thanks.

"I'm still mad at you."

I mean, kissing me without my consent was just violating, but I guess none of that mattered because I couldn't help but feel Ashok was right. Especially after I found out about Sebastian talking to the Gaunts.

Perhaps he is using me.

"So, Ash, huh?"

He spoke as he rubbed his jaw, presumably from the lingering pain of having a fist to his face. Multiple times. 

I crossed my arms, glaring at him.

He coughed, "right, not the time."

He shifts his position as he props up his leg and hanged his arm off it. 

"I'm sorry", my ears perked up.

"I shouldn't have kissed you like that."

"Yeah, you shouldn't have."

"I guess, I just needed you to know that I like you."

"Ok?"

I was slightly unconvinced because liking someone doesn't mean just going kissing the said person. It definitely wasn't the right way of going about it.

"I just, every time I see the two of you, he looks so ungenuine and, I hate to be harsh, but you're blinded by his charm."

I didn't say anything, it's not like he saw what happened behind closed doors. Sebastian was always romantic with you, at least that's what I thought.

I began to think back to all the times we were together over the summer, but not one of those moments did he take me out. 

We never even left Hogwarts together. 

Better yet, never left the Room of Requirement.

I pinched my nose, "perhaps you're right."

"Huh?"

I sighed. 

"He never took me out on a date. Most of our time together was physically intimate. Bloody hell, he's never even confessed to me."

He was about to speak up, clearly wanting to say that he told you so.

"Don't."

He snapped his mouth shut.

"So what now?"

I shrugged, "honestly, I don't know."

I really didn't. I didn't even know if I could face Sebastian after he beat up Ashok and after I learned he was talking to the Gaunts.

"Oh Salazar, Ominis."

Ashok sneered, "what about Gaunt?"

I shook my head, he of all people didn't need to know.

"Nothing. It's nothing."

He shrugged, "keep it to yourself then."

"So, do you forgive me?"

I pursed my lips thinking. On one hand, yes he did kiss me without my consent, but he was also perhaps right about Sebastian and he did apologise for the kiss.

"Maybe. Not yet, but in the future, perhaps."

He nodded before standing up and brushing himself off.

"That's all I needed to hear", he smiled in my direction before leaving himself. 

I moved to sit against the wall as I let out a long-needed sigh. 

Everything went to shit so quickly.

-

Oops, Sebastian's secret is out. Sort of. 

You still don't know about the Resurrection stone, but damn talking to the Gaunts really had you shook (do people still say that?)

Now I will say, gaslighting and manipulating are really up in this chapter.

Bestie are you dumb? Don't forgive Ashok.

Jk, jk, you're not dumb, but for the purpose of this story. You've got to be a little naive with him.