December 24th ~ Lauds (early morning)
The morning after the Gaunt Manor party, Sebastian sat at the long Slytherin table in the Great Hall, stirring his porridge absently. His usual charm and energy were conspicuously absent, leaving him quiet and withdrawn. He couldn't stop replaying the events of the previous night—the confrontation, Mira's hand in his as she led him to the terrace, her expression when she spoke of not being confined by expectations. And the way she looked in that dress... Merlin help him, it was seared into his mind.
But now? She was nowhere to be found.
He glanced toward the entrance of the Great Hall for the hundredth time, his eyes scanning for a glimpse of her dark hair or her unmistakable presence. Breakfast passed, and she didn't come. Lunch came and went, and still, no Mira.
What is she doing? he wondered, drumming his fingers on the wooden table. The thought that she might be avoiding him pricked at his chest. After everything that happened last night—had he done something wrong? Said something that pushed her away?
The idea of losing her—no, stop it. You can't lose what you don't even have. He raked a hand through his hair, frustrated with himself.
Sebastian had always been confident, especially when it came to girls. He'd had his fair share of flirtations, secret meetings, and stolen kisses. He knew how to charm, how to draw someone in, how to touch without overstepping. Yet, somehow, Mira was different. She wasn't like the others—she didn't fall for his easy smiles or playful teasing. She looked at him like she was seeing through him, and it unnerved him.
But it also made him want her more.
It wasn't just her beauty, though she was undeniably stunning. It was the way she carried herself, with that mix of vulnerability and steel. She intrigued him, challenged him, and made him feel... more.
And that scared him.
Sebastian leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, staring up at the enchanted ceiling. The snowflakes drifting lazily above matched the flurry of thoughts in his mind. He wanted to see her, talk to her, touch her. The desire was almost overwhelming, but he held himself back. Why?
Because she's not like the others.
With Mira, it wasn't just about what he wanted—it was about what she deserved. She deserved more than his usual bravado and casual affections. She deserved patience, respect, and someone willing to let her set the pace.
But patience was not Sebastian's strong suit.
As the afternoon wore on and Mira remained absent, he felt the knot of worry tighten. He hated not knowing what she was thinking, where she was, or how she was feeling. By the time dinner neared, he decided he couldn't wait any longer.
"I'll find her," he muttered to himself, standing abruptly.
Grabbing his broom, he headed out toward her room, the winter chill biting at his face as he flew.
Respect doesn't mean you have to sit around doing nothing, he thought, determination taking over.
Because if there was one thing Sebastian Sallow knew, it was that he wouldn't give up on something—or someone—he truly wanted.
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Mira stirred awake, the faint light of morning brushing against her closed eyelids. Her chest rose and fell steadily, but her mind was restless, replaying the conversation with Ominis. His voice lingered like a haunting melody, filled with words she couldn't ignore. She sat up slowly, running her hands through her hair, which fell in a dark cascade around her shoulders.
YOU ARE READING
Forever & Again
Fanfiction~ If Ominis was the steady pull of the moon, Sebastian was the sun's fire that threatened to engulf her ~ Mira thought spending her winter holiday at Hogwarts would be a quiet escape from the suffocating expectations of her family. There, she meets...
