Invisible String - A Sebastian Sallow Story

Chapter XXV

"I thought you hated broom travel" she shouted over the wind to Poppy.

"It's been growing on me..." the quiet hufflepuff responded, face blazing red, and her short brown hair a mess.

"It doesn't have anything to do with a certain quidditch playing roommate of mine does it?" She teased, knowing that Poppy had been going off grounds with Imelda for weeks now as the girls desperately wanted alone time away from the prying eyes of their classmates.

"Perhaps... does she ever... talk about me?" Poppy asked, not quite sure what she was expecting in response but curious nonetheless.

"Poppy Sweeting! How could I betray my dear roommate by divulging such information!" She pretended to be horrified at the thought and her companion must have not realized she was being sarcastic.

"right, of course... I am sorry" Poppy told her, attempting to speed ahead but she easily caught up to Poppy on her own broom. Bringing them both to a halt over the town of Irondale.

"Poppy, I'm only messing with you. Truly you should see the way she's always a mess before you all go fly together. Always pacing, asking me to help with her hair knowing the wind will send it flying anyways. I don't know the full extent of what you get up to, but I know she enjoys spending time with you. The smile on her face when she comes back is always so bright." She explained, looking at the racing course atop the hill before signaling Poppy to follow her.

The pair made their way over to the flying course she still held the record for, the one that brought her friendship with her dorm mate through mutual respect of flying. Hoping off her broom she made her way over to a discovery she recently had made while out on a flight with Sebastian, making a point of not mentioning it to him.

Bringing the Hufflepuff girl around one of the wood planks at the back of the landing pad she crouched down slightly, pointing to a new carving. Now in the grain of the wood "I + P" inside of a crudely carved heart. Whoever did it must have struggled and she couldn't help but know it was Imelda given she helped dig a splinter out of the girl's hand not long ago.

Poppy didn't speak as she ran her fingers over the plank, smiling to herself as her face flushed.

"How did you-?" She asked

"Revealio. Plus Sebastian isn't exactly the fastest flyer. I got bored waiting for him to finish the course" she explained with a laugh and a shrug

"I didn't want to say anything earlier..." She started by trailing off while looking down.

"But?" pressed the girl, unsure what she was alluding to.

"You both just seem very good for each other... I think if anyone could find even half the love you both share, they should consider themselves lucky." She explained.

"What makes you say that?" She asked, curiously kicking a pebble under her shoe, realizing they should attempt to make some sort of progress before the sun goes down.

"You and Sebastian are just so in sync. I don't really know how to explain it. The way he looks at you, or you look to him. The way he is always there with a hand offering without you even needing to ask. You two both are just so attentive towards one another, honestly I find myself jealous of it most days. Not because I want him.." Poppy started to defend herself but the girl just laughed.

"I am well aware of what you meant Poppy... thank you for saying that. I feel as if some days our peers would believe us to be moving too fast. That most of our feelings are sudden, and may not be genuine. I appreciate knowing your insight." She felt sort of relieved knowing her best friend since starting Hogwarts was more understanding than their peers, and saw them without judgment.