#Hogwarts legacy fic

[myokk]

It was what she wanted, wasn't it? She wanted him to hate her.

Hatred wasn't what she saw in his eyes now, though.

Almost as if she were watching herself from afar, not in control of her body, Eloise came to a stop in front of Sebastian and looked down at him. The green light was highlighting his face and he looked ethereal, otherworldly. She watched her hand reach out and touch his cheek - hesitant, unsure - and when he didn't jerk his head away as she expected - as she deserved - she moved to sit down next to him in the tiny space. Her knees bumped into his just like their noses bumped against each other as she moved her face towards his. Still, he didn't move away.

She felt his warm breath fan across her lips. Maybe they stayed like that, lips not-quite-touching, for an eternity; maybe it was only a second. Eloise was only aware of Sebastian's intoxicating presence, of the way his breath hitched when she finally bridged the gap between them, of the way her heart surrendered itself to him. This kiss was nothing like what they had shared before. It was hesitant, soft, sweet. His hands came up to her face, holding her in place as he deepened the kiss.

Eloise didn't know what had gotten into her - she was supposed to be avoiding Sebastian, hating him, and yet she couldn't pull herself out of his embrace. She was melting into his touch, his thumbs brushing themselves down her cheeks, her neck, fingers going through her hair, over and over as if to reassure himself of her presence, his lips moving languidly against hers. Eloise sighed into his mouth, almost-smiling but not-quite: she was nervous, as complicit as he was in this kiss, maybe even more, considering she had been the one to reach out first. But then -

Sebastian pulled away from her, puzzled, his hands moving back to cup Eloise's face. He was saying something, rough thumbs gently brushing away the thick tears rolling down her cheeks. When had she started crying?

from chapter 25 of my fic, Before It Felt Like A Sin🫶​

as @elliecutte said...this is kind of like their goodbye kiss :') (not really but I like being angsty)

💘

[marauder-misprint]

Letters that never arrived i

Sebastian Sallow x Ravenclaw!reader

part 2

14.7k words

cw: HL spoilers, swearing, miscommunication, fluff, angst, Y/N

There were flashes of red and green lights and you screamed his name. “Sebastian!”

Then you woke up, drenched in sweat. It was still pitch black outside. You slowly sat up, shaking from your nightmare. A gentle breeze chilled you to the bone as your pajamas clung to your body. Sebastian was not there, but you still looked around the room, filled with worry. The last you had heard he was staying at his late uncle’s house in Feldcroft. As you sat up, you tried to remember the dream that had awoken you. You didn’t know which end of the lights the boy had been on. You shuttered. 

You got out of bed and shuffled over to your trunk. You took out a small box of neatly arranged vials and picked out two. You debated which potion would be better to take: Sleeping Draught or Dreamless Sleep Potion. The former would get you back to sleep faster, but the latter would likely keep you asleep. You put the Sleeping Draught back with a sigh. You had taken one of those before bed, and your dreams hadn’t been pleasant. You drank the other potion in one gulp and went back to your bed. Its immediate drowsy effect allowed you to feel more relaxed. After a few minutes, you were back to sleep. 

In the morning, you cast a protection spell over your tent before making the trek to Hogsmeade. You could’ve flown on your broom, rode your graphorn or a thestral, or even taken the floo network from the closest hamlet. You had taken to walking everywhere. There was something about being on the ground that reminded you that you were alive and it was all real. The last time you flew on your broom you had ended up lost in the clouds above the ocean. It had taken you over an hour to get back to your tent; it was an event you never planned on repeating. 

You entered J. Pippin’s Potions and greeted the shop’s owner, Mr. Pippin. 

“I have your order ready. Just let me go grab it,” he said, disappearing to grab a bag from the back. When he returned, he asked, “Can I ask what you are brewing? This is a fair amount of lavender, sopophorous beans, nettle and asphodel?”

You handed him a small pouch of galleons and took the bag he handed you. 

“I’ve got a few potions I’m working on,” you said nonchalantly. “I like to have my own stock and with school starting up soon, I need to get busy.”

Mr. Pippin nodded, although he noted that you didn’t really answer his question. “Starts next week, if I recall.”

“That’s correct, sir.”

“Enjoy your brewing, Y/N. And I’m only an owl away if you need help.” 

After leaving the potion shop, you visited various other shops around the village to pick up supplies that you had ordered for the upcoming school year. You had quite the stack of packages when you stumbled into the Three Broomsticks and nearly collapsed at a table in the front corner. Sirona Ryan was quick to bring you a butterbeer.

“Looks like you’ve had quite the day, hmm,” she said, setting the mug down.

“A walk in the park compared to last year,” you replied with a tired smile. 

Sirona knew a fair bit about the messes that you had found yourself in last year. She had witnessed parts of it herself, like when Rookwood barged into the pub and demanded to speak with you. You sat back in your chair with your hands grasping the warm mug. It had just been a day of picking up school supplies and small talk, yet it still drained you. The mundane always felt worse than battling poachers, goblins and trolls. 

A few butterbeers later, you felt ready to go home to your tent. You were about to wave Sirona over to pay her when the door opened with a jingle and familiar voices filled the air. 

“We won’t stay long, Ominis. I just want one drink before we go back,” Sebastian Sallow said. 

You were glad for the pile of supplies in front of you, blocking you from their view. You could barely see them yourself through bits of space between your packages. 

“One drink. Then we have to go back to Feldcroft. I do not like walking that far through forest when it’s dark out,” Ominis Gaunt responded to Sebastian.

“You’re blind! What difference does it make?”

Ominis scoffed. “It is more to do with the time of day. You know it is less safe at night.”

To your relief, the boys chose a table further into the pub. You felt safe to wave Sirona over. 

“Some of your classmates just came in. You know you can move tables without telling me,” she said with a soft smile.

You shook your head. “I need to get going. It’s been a long day and there is a bed calling my name.”

You handed some galleons to Sirona and worked on stacking your packages in a way that wouldn’t make them too cumbersome to carry. You could bewitch them to float and follow you, but you would worry too much about them getting stuck on a tree or boulder. As you got your grip and headed to the door, you heard Ominis speak across the bar. 

“Is that Y/N’s voice I just heard?”

You didn’t turn around and hurried out the door before you could hear Sebastian’s answer. You hadn’t parted on the best of terms and you wasn’t ready to face them yet. 

“Huh? Maybe?” Sebastian said, looking at the door as it closed. “I didn’t see.”

Sirona heard them and walked over. “Yes, that was Y/N who just left. Bit surprised myself that she didn’t say hi to you boys.”

--- 

The next week seemed to fly by. You spent most of your time brewing your collection of potions and triple checking that you had all of the required supplies. Your worries about returning to the castle caused you to be more paranoid. You were looking over your shoulder whenever you left and moved your camp. The dangers of living in the highlands weren’t as severe as they had been, but they still persisted. Even without a leader and definitive cause, goblins and ashwinders were posted in various locations, and if one thing made them furious, it was you since  you were responsible for their leaders’ downfalls. And poachers were always a given. 

The day before you would return to the safety of the castle, you set up camp in a treasure vault you had discovered a while ago. You had recalled this one being free of spiders, inferi and standing water. You conjured a door and locked it, hoping to deter wild animals. You knew that any wizard determined to get in could, but some would move along at the sight of a simple lock. 

You sat next to a small fire, hugging your knees to your chest. One of the things you loved most in the world was watching the flames of fire dance erratically. It was more soothing than you could ever explain with words. It allowed you to get lost in your mind without the daunting feeling of falling into an endless hole. You could think and reflect. Sometimes you thought it was your ability to control ancient magic that allowed fire to have this effect on you; to you, fire was the oldest magic there was. 

You decided on a simple Sleeping Draught for the night. Your mind was wide awake with nerves and dreamless sleep would be pointless if you couldn’t sleep. You passed out immediately after drinking it. 

Waking up, you felt groggy. Your sleep wasn’t the most restful but it had been sleep. The nightmares were more mild. Stress of exams and forgetting homework. Embarrassment of being late to class or losing Ravenclaw points. Awake, you wanted to laugh at how trivial these were, but they still frightened you. You knew people expected the world of you, and you’d be damned if you let them down. 

You condensed all of your things down into one trunk with an extension charm on it. You figured you would mill around Hogsmeade until it was time to go to Hogwarts. Most students would be arriving by train. Once you arrived in the village with your trunk, you made the decision to hole up in the Three Broomsticks. If it was slow, you could chat with Sirona. It ended up not being slow enough for Sirona to chat for more than a few minutes at time, but that was sufficient for you. Even more so, you were glad that you didn’t see anyone that you really knew all that well, which meant no one else was stopping by your table.

---

“Y/N!” a voice shrieked from across the Great Hall. 

You looked up from the Ravenclaw table to see Samantha Dale and Constance Dagworth running toward you. 

“It’s good to see you’re still alive!” Constance said, engulfing you in a hug. “I tried to write to you but my owls couldn’t find you!”

“I had the same issue!” Samantha added.

The girls sat on either side of you, awaiting your answer for their inability to reach you.

“I was moving around a lot,” you said. “I guess if you don’t stay in one spot for too long, owls can’t find you as easily as they can if you’re established.” 

“Well, you’ll have to tell us all about your summer. We have so much catching up to do,” Samantha said adamantly. 

The Great Hall didn’t take much time to fill up as the train had obviously arrived and students had made it to the castle from Hogsmeade Station. The temperature in the hall rose significantly with everyone’s body heat. It was good to see everyone’s faces again and to hear their voices. Students who took the train were swapping stories with those from the local hamlets or had been in different compartments. The animated conversations fell quiet when Professor Black stood at the lectern at the front of the hall. His welcome speech was half-hearted and he quickly passed the spotlight over to Professor Weasley who led the sorting ceremony. You were shocked at the number of first years and paid immense attention to the ceremony, since you hadn’t seen one before unless you counted your own that had been after all of last year’s first years had finished being sorted. The other sixth years around you were less enthralled by the ceremony. 

The ceremony ended and dinner commenced. All of the students around you began filling their plates immediately; some looked at the food like they hadn’t eaten all day. You were regretting sitting in the Three Broomsticks all day and drinking your fair share of butterbeer. You made a small plate for yourself and nibbled away at it as you listened to your friends recount their summers. 

“William was obnoxious all summer. He was always in the way, no matter what I was doing. I couldn’t read or stitch without him being an absolute git,” Samantha complained. “Maybe we should’ve left his feet as beets!”

“Oh, please,” you scoffed. “You were beside yourself when he was at St. Mungo’s. Have you considered that maybe he just wants to spend time with you?”

“Absolutely not. If he wanted to spend time with me, he could come over from the Gryffindor table once in a while.”

You cocked your head. “He’s a student here?”

“Did you not know?” Constance asked. 

You shook your head.

“He’s a fourth year. Gryffindor, as I just said,” Samantha said. 

She turned around to point in his direction. You looked in the direction of the Gryffindor table and saw a boy who looked like he could be related to Samantha. 

“I see. I guess he didn’t come up that much last year…”

“You were busy, saving Hogwarts and all,” Samantha said.

“Don’t forget being joined at the hip with her guard dogs,” Constance chirped.

You made a face at your friend. “I still don’t understand why people call them that.”

“Ever notice how people never really approached you when they were at your side?” Constance laughed. “They were protecting you, guarding you. And well, yeah. Guard dogs.”

“Protecting me? Please!” you said in mild disgust. “I do not need protecting.”

“From goblins and ashwinders, no. Overzealous fans? Possibly. But we’ll never know because of them,” Samantha clarified. 

“Overzealous fans,” you repeated. “What, am I going to be hugged to death?”

The girls shrugged. 

“Might have been to ensure some privacy. Usually when someone gets a title like Hero of Hogwarts, people want to know everything about them,” Constance said.

“Whatever,” you said with a sigh. “Connie, what did you do this summer? Do you have a sibling who goes here that I don’t know about?”

—-

Before going to bed, you made sure to organize your stuff in the closet. You had conjured additional shelves so that your collection of potions could be properly displayed and easily accessed each night. Samantha peered over your shoulder and gasped.

“Merlin, Y/N! Do you have enough potions in there?”

You shut the door, hiding your collection of vials. Constance looked up from a letter she was writing.

“How many are in there?”

“At least twenty,” Samantha answered.

“Been busy brewing this summer?” Constance asked with a laugh. 

“I like to be prepared! Don’t come crawling to me when you need wiggenweld and are too embarrassed to get some from the hospital wing,” you defended. 

“You have more than enough in there to share. And what was all in there?” Samantha asked, sitting down on her bed. “I saw purple and wiggenweld is green.”

“Just some stuff to help with sleep,” you said with a shrug. “Pretty sure the lavender makes it purple.” 

The other two girls exchanged worried looks.

“Are you still having nightmares?” Samantha asked, her voice laced with concern.

You had tried to hide your nightmares from your roommates in the spring. You had placed a silencing charm on your bed to at least muffle the noise. However, they were perceptive and grew concerned over your visible exhaustion. It had been one thing for you to fall asleep in History of Magic as Professor Binns droned on about various goblin rebellions; it was another when you slipped out of your chair and onto the floor in Defense Against the Dark Arts and then in Charms. They called you out on it and you had no choice but to come clean. You had been  given a small ration of sleeping aid potions from Matron Blainey. 

You had led them to believe that after two weeks of restful sleep you were back to normal. That was not the case. The first night without one of the potions left you riddled with nightmares worse than before. It felt like the two weeks without dreams had compiled into one. In a calm and collected panic, you discussed with Garreth Weasley if he knew how to brew those potions; as advanced as he was, he did not but knew they were to learn more about them next year. Rather than discuss your predicament with Professor Sharp, you turned to the master of mischief, Sebastian. Sebastian was able to find you books with directions and you worked on perfecting the brews in the Room of Requirement. You appreciated that he didn’t ask questions about it. 

“They come and go. Not as frequent, but like I said, I like to be prepared,” you lied, allowing your friends’ expressions to ease. 

The girls talked about their expectations for the year before getting ready for bed. You were glad to be laughing about the small things that made going to school fun: the drama and potential sources of gossip. They talked about much the school rallied around quidditch, something you had missed out on last year due Professor Black canceling the season. When it was finally time to turn in, you had to sneak open her closet to grab a potion. You weren't going to start the term off with horrible dreams that woke you up screaming. 

---

You were excited to truly experience Hogwarts as a regular student. Well, more or less a regular student. You knew that you were treated slightly differently due to your title of Hero of Hogwarts. You were excited for classes and quidditch, unburdened by looming threats outside the castle walls. 

After two weeks, you thought everything was going good as you adjusted to a new normal. And it was, until you heard something that made you choke on your morning coffee at breakfast. 

“Did you hear that heartthrob Sebastian Sallow made Slytherin quidditch team as a beater?” a third year gossiped with her friend. 

“Everything good?” Constance asked, slapping your back. 

“Just surprised,” you managed to croak. “Wasn’t expecting to hear that.”

“That Sallow made the quidditch team?” Everett Clopton asked from across the table. 

You shook your head. “Heartthrob.”

Samantha and Constance burst out laughing. You shot them a confused look. 

“Maybe you’re too close to him to have noticed,” Samantha said, “but puberty took him through the ringer over the summer.”

You raised an eyebrow before turning around to try to find him at the Slytherin table. So far, you had managed to avoid talking to him and, consequently, really getting a good look at him. You spotted a mop of brown hair but it wasn’t enough to confirm Samantha’s statement. 

“So he’s a heartthrob now?”

Constance nodded. “Before his sister got sick, he was fairly well-liked across houses. Just a funny, goofy guy who was always up for a good time. Quite popular. Anne gets sick and suddenly he disappears from the spotlight. You show up and he’s sort of back to normal, but it was mostly when you were around. And now, puberty plus his old charm, simple equation for heartthrob status.”

“And he’s on quidditch now,” Everett added, earning him a look of accusation from Constance. His hands went up in a sign of defense. “I’m just saying I’ve heard girls like an athlete.” 

Samantha hummed in content. “He’s not wrong.”

“Thank you!”

---

Two weeks later, the girls were relaxing in the common room after a long day of classes.

“Is it quidditch yet?” you asked, laying down on a couch in the common room. 

“Nope,” Constance answered her, popping the ‘p.’ “Next weekend, and we’re not even playing yet. Slytherin plays Hufflepuff.”

You sighed. “I want to watch quidditch!”

Samantha laughed at you from a nearby arm chair. “You’ll get your fair amount of quidditch, don’t worry about it, L/N.” She paused. “So are we going to Hogsmeade tomorrow?”

“I’d like to. Not to say I’m tired of the castle already, but I could use some chocolate frogs and butterbeer,” Constance said.

“Yeah, I’m game for Hogsmeade,” you agreed. 

At that moment, Andrew Larson and Everett appeared next to the girls.

“Did we hear Hogsmeade trip?” Everett asked, resting his arm on your head. 

“Tomorrow,” you said.

“Is it… a girls’ trip?” Andrew asked, looking from Constance to Samantha and then stopping on you. 

“Are you trying to get an invite?” Samantha laughed, poking his side.

“Just trying to gauge if it’s worth seeing if you mind if we tag along,” he replied defensively. “Didn’t want to intrude if it was definitely a girls’ trip. We would’ve made a point to avoid you.”

You removed Everett’s arm from your head. “You guys can join us. Make sure you invite Amit too.”

Andrew rolled his eyes. 

“Andrew!” you chastised. 

“Would you rather we have you invite Puffskein or Mahendra?” Constance asked with crossed arms. 

“Amit it is!” Andrew declared. 

“Plus, he’ll probably say no,” Samantha said, sitting on the armrest of Constance’s chair. “It’s just the effort that counts. It’s called maintaining a friendship.”

The next morning, only Everett and Andrew sat down next to the girls.

“Sammy was right, he said no but thanked us for inviting him,” Everett said, stealing a piece of toast off your plate.

You smacked his arm playfully. 

“What if I was going to eat that?”

“You’d grab another slice and butter it again.”

You narrowed your eyes at Everett before laughing. “I hate you.”

“Hmm, debatable.”

Constance cleared her throat across the table from you. You looked at her with confused looks. 

“If you’re done flirting, are we ready for Hogsmeade?” she asked.

You gasped, looking at Everett. “Shit, were you flirting?”

He shook his head vigorously, causing his curls to bounce. 

“I wasn’t either.”

“You’re literally my sister.”

You nodded. “Yes, we are siblings. Not lovers.”

“Okay, but Hogsmeade? Are we going?” Samantha repeated Constance’s question.

“Yeah,” you said, standing up while taking one last sip of your coffee. “Let’s boogie.”

As the group walked to Hogsmeade, the girls led the group, walking three across on the path. The boys followed, both of them with their hands shoved in their pockets. 

“You really think of her as your sister?” Andrew asked Everett in a low voice, hoping there was enough distance between them and the girls that they wouldn’t be able to overhear. 

Everett gave him a sideways glance, smiling. “Just about. She’s perfect but I think I was friendzoned since day one. Made peace with it,” he said with a laugh. “Now, she’s just a good friend when she’s not hidden behind her little guard dogs.” 

Andrew made a face. 

“Hey, she’s here with us today. Not them…” Everett paused. “Have you seen her with them since the start of term?”

“Uh, I don’t think so?” Andrew replied, thinking about it. “I’ve seen her with Natty and maybe once or twice with Garreth. Otherwise she’s been around Connie and Sam.”

“That’s about what I thought. She’s been pairing up with Natty in Defense rather than Sallow.”

Andrew let out a hearty laugh. “Now that’s a welcomed change!”

You looked back at them, not having heard anything. “Honeydukes, yeah?”

They nodded. The group adjusted their path to the sweets shop. Once inside, the group split apart, each beelining to their favorite candies. Andrew stayed close to you, pretending to look over pumpkin pasties while you debated between chocolate frogs, choco-locos and chocolate cauldrons. 

“What do you think, Andrew: frogs or cauldrons?” you asked, turning towards him.

“Hm? Oh, I like frogs better,” he said. “But why not get a few of both? Can’t hurt to have variety.”

You nodded and took a handful of each. Andrew’s eyes went wide; he hadn’t expected you to grab that many.

“Got galleons waste, have you?”

“I’m going to spend them anyways. Either I buy them all now and have chocolate on hand, or I have to sneak out to get my fix in the middle of the week. Do you want me to get caught and lose points for Ravenclaw?” you explained with a laugh. 

“Suppose not, although you do earn us a fair share.”

You walked towards the other end of the store and he followed, after putting back the pumpkin pasty that he wasn’t actually interested in.

“How do you sneak out and make it here and back so quickly?” he asked, standing next to you at the doxy floss stand. 

“I mean, Moon doesn’t lock the doors too well,” you lied. You weren't going to tell him about the one-eyed witch statue that Garreth had shown you last year. “And then I either run or take a broom. But I’m also not against riding a thestral.”

He ran a hand through his hair nervously. “I always forget that you can see them.”

“Trust me, I wish I couldn’t.” You paused, looking up at Andrew. “They are eerily beautiful creatures and wonderful beasts, but the cost… Some things you just wish you could unsee.”

George Osric. Solomon Sallow. Eleazar Fig. Countless goblins and ashwinders who had attacked her and others. You shivered at the thought of them. Andrew put a loose arm around your shoulder to give you a light comforting squeeze. Then he let go, not wanting to push you past your comfort level.

“I suppose you could say I’m lucky that I can’t see ‘em yet.”

“Yet?” you asked with a soft chuckle. “What makes you so certain you’ll see someone die?”

He shrugged. “I figure I’ll see an old relative die or something. Definitely won’t be in my line of work after Hogwarts.”

“What are you planning on doing?”

“I want to work in legal for the ministry. My uncle works in a different department, but I’ve met some of his coworkers and it’s fascinating.”

“Legal… Not my cup of tea, but someone has to do it.”

“What is your cup of tea?”

“Research, I think. I want to know about ancient magic.”

He nodded and looked around the shop. Constance and Samantha were checking out and Everett already had his purchase in a bag. 

“Looks like they’ll be waiting on us soon,” he said, jerking his head in the direction of their friends. 

“Oh, yeah.” 

You checked out and the group walked outside. They weren’t quite ready to hole up in the Three Broomsticks to drink butterbeer until it was late so they walked around the village. You made them walk over to J. Pippin’s so you could get more lavender. 

“What does she need lavender for?” Andrew asked as the rest of the group waited outside the shop. 

“She’s got a collection of sleeping potions,” Constance said nonchalantly. “Used to get wicked nightmares last year and now it’s just habit to keep it on hand. Emergency stock, if you will.”

“Remember in the spring, when she was falling asleep in Defense and Charms? A literal walking zombie? Yeah, she hadn’t sleep in like a week because of the nightmares. We convinced her to talk to Blainey and it seems to have helped,” Samantha added. 

“Gods, I do remember that,” Everett said. “Hecat was so concerned to see her on the floor. Thought she was cursed or something and then Sallow gave her a nudge and determined she had just fallen asleep.” Then he looked at Andrew and then back at the girls. “Do you know why she hasn’t been around her guard dogs this term?”

“Huh, I suppose she hasn’t, has she?” Samantha asked. “She hasn’t said anything to us, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Everett hummed. You exited the shop with a bag that said you bought more than lavender from Mr. Pippin. Once in the shop, you looked over his inventory and bought everything you thought you might run low on in the next week. 

“Looks a bit more than lavender,” Samantha snorted. 

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I like to be prepared.”

“Prepared for what?” Andrew asked, trying to get a peek in the bag. “Decorating the entire common room and roof with flowers?”

You tightened your grip on the bag. “My ingredient stores won’t be running low anytime soon and when you need billywig stings, don’t be coming to me because you know I’ll have them.”

“Always threatening to withhold things from us!” Everett gasped. “But you cave every time.”

“That was one time and you fell off your broom from like 30 feet!” 

“You were the first one there and basically forcing the wiggenweld down my throat,” he reminded you. 

“Fine, next time you are in a life or death situation, I’ll stand back and let you suffer.”

The group walked to the gardens outside of Hogsmeade to relax for a bit. You sat on a bench at the bottom of the overlook, the part more in the garden that looked at the enchanted dragon bush. You loved how it moved. You could hear snippets of the rest of the group’s conversation up on the overlook platform. You enjoyed your little bit of solitude, and appreciated that they let you have it. 

“Could you pine any harder?” you heard Samantha ask.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Andrew’s voice responded. 

There was laughter and you didn’t catch what was said next. From your distance, overlapping voices meant you couldn’t follow the conversation. You were slightly interested in who Andrew was pining after. You weren’t interested in him, but you were nosy and liked knowing other people’s busy, despite wanting them to stay out of yours. 

“... sister!” Everett laughed.

You heard one of the gates open and close. You turned to see Sebastian entering the garden. He had his hands shoved in his pockets and he looked frustrated. His gaze was intently set on the ground. You weren't sure if he saw you but you were in no mood to talk to him yet. You stood up and hurried up the steps to your friends. 

“I think it’s time for butterbeers!” you announced as you reached the platform.

Andrew’s face was bright red, but the rest of the group seemed overly merry.

“Yes, let’s go!” Samantha agreed, grabbing your arm and the two of you led the group to the Three Broomsticks. 

As they walked, you glanced sideways at Samantha. 

“So, who is Andrew pining after?” you whispered. 

A wicked smile crossed her face. “Oh, that’s something for him to tell you.”

“But obviously he’s told you!”

“Hm, no,” she replied with a soft laugh. “I found it glaringly obvious and confronted him about it last year.”

You stopped walking with your arm still linked with Samantha, therefore causing her to stop walking too. The rest of the group was still a few steps back so no one ran into each other. 

“It’s been at least a year?” you asked in disbelief. “How have I not noticed?”

“You’ve been busy and distracted. I don’t blame you.”

You narrowed your eyes at Samantha, causing her to laugh. 

“Guys, come on! I need butterbeer!” Constance whined, pushing in between her friends.

She grabbed your hands and practically pulled you into the Three Broomsticks, leaving the boys to trail them once again. You managed to find an open table with enough seats for all of them. Sirona wasted no time in placing butterbeers in front of them. 

“I love how she just knows,” Constance said cheerfully, picking up her mug.

“It’s not like she’s going to serve us meade or firewhiskey,” you chirped. 

“Maybe for a few extra galleons she might,” Everett teased. “That would require me to have a few extra galleons to slide her way though.”

“Oh, just wait for Ravenclaw to win at quidditch. You’ll be supplied,” Andrew said, giving Everett a nudge with his shoulder. 

“What happens after a win?” you asked, foam sitting on your upper lip. 

“That’s right!” Samantha exclaimed. “You haven’t been to a Hogwarts party yet!” 

You raised her eyebrows. 

“There’s usually one after each quidditch game, hosted by the winning house. If it’s in another house, you have to arrange to be let in. Sometimes, if the seventh years are feeling frisky, they’ll have parties at other times. But it’s mainly for quidditch,” Everett explained. “Being that it was canceled last year, no parties.”

“Damn, I feel bad for the seventh years,” you muttered. 

“Um, Hufflepuff definitely had a gathering,” Constance piped up. “I think the entirety of seventh years were accounted for.”

“What?” Everett coughed.

“I guess you didn’t get an invite,” she said smugly. “Lenora let me in.”

Gesturing to Constance, Andrew said, “See, you have to know someone.”

“I could maybe go to party at each house if I play it right,” you said. As you listed off your friends, you counted on your fingers, “Obviously I can attend Ravenclaw. Natty would let me into the Gryffindor Common Room. Poppy for Hufflepuff…” She paused to think. “Maybe Imelda or Priscilla for Slytherin?”

“What about Gaunt or Sallow?” Samantha asked, a little too eagerly. 

“What about them?”

You knew what they were asking. You just didn’t want to answer it. You saw as everyone at the table exchanged knowing glances with each other.

“Couldn’t they let you in?” Samantha asked, more cautious this time. 

“That requires them to want me around.”

The table was quiet. 

“And why wouldn’t they want you around?”

You sighed. “Shit went down last year and they haven’t tried to talk to me since so…” 

You pressed your lips together, hoping they would glean to drop it from your expression.

“Maybe they tried to write you over the summer?” Constance offered, not changing the subject. 

“I doubt that.”

At that moment, Sirona arrived with more butterbeers for the table. They chorused thank yous to her. When she was gone, the table was quiet again as everyone sipped their drinks. 

“So… that Potions essay?” Everett asked. 

“Oh, don’t even get me started on it!” Constance said.

You sighed and drank your butterbeer, zoning out from the conversation. Maybe they had tried to write you over the summer, but you was determined to not be found. 

After a few hours, the group left the Three Broomsticks to make their way back to the castle. Everett had linked arms with Constance and Samantha, joyfully having a loud discussion over why Arithmancy was better than Divination. You thought they were walking quicker than they usually did, putting some distance between them and you and Andrew. 

Andrew reached out and grabbed your hand as they approached the road signs a little bit outside of the village. “Hey, Y/N, can I ask you something?”

You stopped walking. “Yeah, of course. What’s up, Andrew?”

You thought he looked nervous. 

“I was wondering if you wanted to go to the quidditch game next weekend.”

“I think the entire castle is going,” you replied, a little confused. 

“No, yeah, the entire castle will be going. But I’m asking if you’d like to go with me. Like a date.” 

“Oh, Andrew…” you started to say.

Then a figure came barreling in between them, knocking Andrew to the ground. You didn’t see who it was. 

“Oi, Sallow! What the fuck?” Andrew yelled from the ground. 

Turning to see a green and silver cloak disappearing around the corner, you were able to see him flip them off. You helped Andrew stand up and he dusted himself off.

“So?” he asked. 

You bit her bottom lip nervously. “That’s really sweet of you, but I don’t think I’m ready to date anyone.”

“Oh,” he said dejectedly, but quickly recovered. “I get that. Hope that doesn’t make things awkward between us…”

“I’ll try to not let it,” you said with a soft smile.

You started to walk again. 

“But that was Sebastian who came barreling through?” you asked. 

“I’m like 95% sure it was. Not sure what his problem is.”

“You and me both,” you said, shaking your head. 

---

You skipped dinner on Thursday to study in the library. You planned on being there for a while and wanted to ensure that you had a good table. You took up half of a table on the upper level. You were happily chugging away on various assignments that you put off during the week. It was fairly obvious when dinner had ended because students started pouring into the library and began taking up any open table. You tried to condense your stuff, but your efforts were futile. With a sigh, you just continued to work. 

You only looked up when someone placed their stuff directly across from you. Seeing who it was, your eyes narrowed despite knowing he couldn’t see it.

“This table is for mudbloods only,” you snapped. 

Ominis looked horrified at what you said. “Y/N!” he whispered.

“Ominis, where did you disappear to?” Sebastian asked before suddenly appearing next to him and seeing you sat at the table. 

“You know he didn’t mean it,” Ominis said, ignoring Sebastian. 

You shifted your glare from Ominis to Sebastian. 

“You don’t say something like that unless you mean it. And it sounded like he meant it.”

Sebastian looked uncomfortable and confused, looking from you to Ominis. 

“Sebastian, I think we need to find a different table,” Ominis muttered, picking his bag back up. “We will see you later, Y/N.”

Before they were out of earshot, you heard Sebastian whisper, “Is she still on what I said?”

Ominis nodded. You were glad to see Sebastian hang his head. A Hufflepuff seventh year sat at your table after a few minutes passed. You worked in silence, not really acknowledging each other, which was just fine for you since you didn’t know him. You sat working until Madam Scribner announced that the library was closing in ten minutes and students needed to begin packing up. You stole a glance at the boy as you piled your stuff back into your bag. He was decently handsome and tall. You looked away as soon as you saw him sneak his own glance. You ended up heading down the stairs at the same time and leaving the library together. 

“Y/N, right?” he asked as you walked through the doors leading to the Central Hall. 

“Yeah. That’s me. I’m afraid I don’t know your name.” 

He held out his hand. “Elias Cotton.”

You shook his hand. “Well, nice to meet you, Elias Cotton.”

He smiled. “It was nice to work across from you. If you ever need a study buddy, have Poppy find me.”

Then he walked away towards the Hufflepuff Common Room. You stood there, watching him disappear down a set of stairs. You blinked a few times to process what had just happened. You hadn’t spoken until then; why did he think you needed a study buddy? You were mildly amused that he knew you were a friend of Poppy. You shook your head before turning to take a long route back to Ravenclaw Tower. You’d have to ask Poppy what she knew about him later. 

---

You decided you would ask Poppy about this Elias Cotton during Beasts class. You were learning about Golden Snidgets, which both of you already knew in extreme detail. 

“Poppy, can I ask you about someone?”

Poppy hummed, not looking up from her sketch of a snidget. 

“Elias Cotton? I think he’s a seventh year and in Hufflepuff.”

Her head snapped up, wide eyes staring at you.

“What about him?”

You felt yourself blush. “He studied at my table in the library yesterday. Just trying to see what he’s like?”

“Probably the sweetest guy in all of Hogwarts, a true gentleman. Definitely a favorite within Hufflepuff. Quite shy though.” She paused. “I think his girlfriend broke up with him last week.”

Poppy eyed you for some time of reaction. Nothing. 

“Huh. You say he’s shy? That would explain why he didn’t say anything to me until after we left the library.” 

“What’d he say?”

“Introduced himself, said it was nice to study at the same table as me and if I ever needed a study buddy, to ask you where he was,” you listed off. 

Poppy thought this was more exciting than you did. Poppy squealed.

“Ms. Sweeting, Ms. L/N, something to share with the class?” Professor Howin asked in a stern tone.

You quickly glanced at the board. 

“Sorry, Professor,” you said, realizing that there was nothing to correct on the board and you didn’t feel like telling the whole class that you and Poppy were part of the reason Golden Snidgets were being seen again.

Professor Howin continued with her lesson. You gave Poppy a warning look.

“No more squealing, but explain,” you hissed.

“He was flirting with you!” Poppy whispered, still visibly excited. “He’s freshly single and you’re not being guarded by your dogs.”

You suppressed a groan. “How long until they lose the nickname?”

Poppy shrugged.

“Also, flirting?” You shook your head. “There must be something in the air.”

“What do you mean?” Poppy asked, raising an eyebrow. 

“Larson asked me out on the way back from Hogsmeade last weekend.” 

Poppy light smacked your shoulder. “And you waited until now to tell me?”

You gave her a sideways glance, trying to look like you were paying attention.

“I didn’t think it was that important? I turned him down.”

“Y/N, you didn’t!”

“What?”

“Andrew is fine. Goodness…” Poppy paused. “So you’ve had at least two good looking boys make moves at you. Turned down one, and the other one put the power in your hands.”

“Elias is about to be disappointed too. I don’t think I’m ready to date.”

“You go up against ashwinders and poachers and trolls. I’ve seen you charge completely unfazed into spider caverns, despite claiming you hate them. And you’re not ready to date?”

You flushed. “I know what I’m doing, what I’m walking into with all of that. Dates? No.”

“If you had the choice to go on a date with a boy or give the Hebridean Black her egg back again, which would you do?” Poppy asked, crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair. 

“Dragon. Easily.”

---

You found it odd walking to the quidditch pitch for the match the next morning. Poppy had found you at breakfast to give you a Hufflepuff flag. You were sure that if they had had games last year, you would’ve been a proud Slytherin supporter. But it wasn’t last year. So you accepted the flag and promised to find Poppy in the stands. 

All around you as you walked were whispers of excitement to see Sebastian make his quidditch debut. Apparently Imelda Reyes, the Slytherin captain, had been bragging about him all week, only adding to his ‘heartthrob’ status. Despite your mental notes to actually look at him to see if he deserved that title, you still managed to avoid looking at him for more than a moment. The library incident had been the most interaction you’d shared so far this term. 

It didn’t take too long to find Poppy within the sea of Hufflepuffs. She saved you a spot at the front of the section and excitedly waved you over once she saw you. You had to awkwardly scoot behind some students to get to Poppy, but you thought it was worth it.

“This better be some game!” you said to Poppy. “You may need to explain parts of the game to me.”

“Red ball goes through hoops for points. Three chasers for each team trying to score. Keepers protect. Beaters hit the budgers, both an attack and protect position. Seeker tried to catch the snitch,” Poppy quickly recapped for you. 

You nodded and peered over the edge of the stands as the teams exited the locker rooms. The stands erupted into cheers as the teams mounted their brooms and took flight. Each team did a lap of the pitch before taking their starting positions. As the Slytherins flew over them, you could’ve sworn that you made eye contact with Sebastian. At least in his uniform, he did look a bit more muscular and filled out. You didn’t think that was enough to be suddenly considered a ‘heartthrob’ but what did you know?

“Excuse me,” a voice said near you.

A few students muttered around them. You looked to your left, where no one had been standing a moment before. Elias Cotton had appeared. He smiled at you and you couldn’t help but smile back.

“Hi, Elias Cotton!” you said. “Just in time for the game to start!”

Poppy leaned forward to make sure that she heard you right.

“Elias!”

“Hi Poppy, Y/N.”

Standing back up straight, Poppy elbowed you in the side lightly.

“Told you!” she said in a singsong voice.

“Oh, shut up,” you laughed. “A Hufflepuff in the Hufflepuff section doesn’t mean anything.”

Your attention was quickly turned to the field as Madam Kogawa blew her whistle, starting the game. Most of your conversation ceased. The section cheered loudly every time Hufflepuff scored, and booed when Slytherin scored. It appeared to be a fairly even match. You did watch Sebastian for most of the game, impressed as he flew with skill and had extreme precision aiming bludgers toward the Hufflepuff team. It would likely come down to who caught the snitch. 

After Hufflepuff scored three times in a row, Elias leaned in and whispered in your ear, “You are welcome to come to the party after we win.”

You wanted to respond with something like ‘I know, Poppy’s going to let me in.’ 

However, you blushed and all you could get out was a flustered, “Okay.”

“Watch out!” someone yelled and you and Elias were pulled in opposite directions as a bludger broke the stands where you had been standing only a moment before. 

You looked out into the pitch. Sebastian looked like he had just swung his bat, and his face was seething with anger. 

“What the?” you asked, looking from Elias to Poppy.

There was a whistle and Lucan Brattleby announced “Penalty on Slytherin beater Sebastian Sallow, bumphing.” 

“In english, Poppy?” you asked, looking at your friend.

“Hitting a bludger at spectators.”

Elias now had to stand a little off to the side so he didn’t accidentally step into the hole the bludger left. He seemed very thrown off. From the stands, Imelda could be heard yelling at Sebastian for being an idiot. Based on how his aim had been all game, you could only assume it had been on purpose, although you weren't sure on why he would send a bludger your way, unless he really hated you. 

Hufflepuff made the penalty shot and the game continued. It wasn’t too much longer before the Hufflepuff seeker caught the snitch, confirming their win over Slytherin. Fans clad in yellow and black erupted in wild cheers. As the boisterous crowd headed back to the castle, you could hear Imelda berating Sebastian inside the locker room as you passed. 

“Jeez, she is pissed.”

“She should be,” Poppy said as they kept walking. “I’m pretty sure their seeker spotted the snitch as Kogawa blew the whistle for the penalty. The game could’ve been over and in their favor.” 

“Why did he hit the bludger toward me?”

“Maybe he’s mad at you for something?” Poppy suggested.

“He was the one who hurt me. I’ve done nothing for him to be mad about,” you defended yourself.

“It was just a suggestion. But you’re coming to the party, right?”

You nodded. “I was planning on it.”

“Cool. It usually starts some time after lunch so you can come down any time, really.”

“Is it alright if I just find you when we’re done eating? I fear if I spend too much time in Ravenclaw Tower, I’ll end up having to bring everyone.”

Poppy laughed, “Of course.” 

You had barely entered the Great Hall, not even halfway down the Hufflepuff table to sit down when you heard a commotion outside the hall. Several students turned to investigate, so you felt inclined to see what the fuss was about. As you got closer, you heard people say something about a fight between a Slytherin and Hufflepuff. You pushed forward through the crowd. You were a little concerned that they were calling it a ‘fight’ and not a ‘duel.’ As you got closer, you heard someone say it was Sebastian. Color drained from your face. Once at the front of the crowd that had circled around the boys, you saw Sebastian standing over Elias, who was on the ground, both breathing heavily. Elias, shaking and with a bloody nose, had his wand out, pointing at Sebastian. Sebastian’s wand appeared to be in his back pocket. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, knuckles bloody. 

“Depulso!” you cast, sending an unexpecting Sebastian flying sideways into the crowd. 

You ran forward to help Elias up. 

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t know…” he muttered, not looking you in the eyes.

You gave him a concerned look. “Didn’t know what?” 

“That you’re dating him.”

You turned bright crimson, in embarrassment and rage. 

“I’m not,” you said firmly. “I’ll talk to you at the party. Apparently I have to take care of something.”

You nudged him toward the crowd on the side of the Great Hall and you turned to where Sebastian was beginning to stand up. 

“Levioso,” you said calmly with a flick of her wand, sending Sebastian into the air. 

He struggled in the air, which made you laugh.

“Since when are we dating?” you asked bitterly. “Hell, since when are we talking?”

“Y/N, I-” he tried to say. 

“Silencio! I’ve decided I don’t want your excuses.” You walked closer to where he was still hovering. “I keep my mouth shut about you. You should do the same.”

You let him fall to the ground with a thud. He sat up, but didn’t attempt to stand. He had a worried look on his face, knowing that you was referring to the events of the Catacombs. 

“And you can tell Ominis this too, you two are not my guard dogs. Stop acting like you still are.” You paused, debating if you had anything more to say. “Might as well… Expelliarmus.”

His wand went flying out of his back pocket. You turned and went back towards the Great Hall, the crowd of students parting to let you through. You found Poppy tending to Elias’s bloody nose. 

“It’s not broken, is it?” you asked as you approached them. 

“It was, but I fixed it. Now he’s just… bloody,” Poppy answered. “Elias isn’t feeling too chatty. What the hell happened out there?”

You shifted your weight. “From what I can tell, Sebastian attacked him and claimed that we were dating. Which is almost funny being that he hasn’t spoken to me all term. Actually, we haven’t spoken since last term.” 

“So you’re really not dating him?” Elias asked sheepishly. 

“I’m not dating anyone.”

Poppy shook her head, smiling at you two. She felt pride in calling that Elias had been flirting with you in his own subtle way. You and Poppy both turned your heads when Imelda and Sebastian burst through the doors of the Great Hall having a loud argument.

“You already lost us the match and now you’re trying to get suspended?” she yelled at him.

“Fuck off, Imelda. Some of us have more going on in our life than quidditch.”

“I am your captain! Your behavior and reputation concerns me and the rest of the team.”

“And I can’t be bothered by that.”

The Great Hall had fallen almost silent. A few students looked at you, almost expecting you to go defuse their argument. You just rolled her eyes, sitting down between Poppy and Elias. As Sebastian and Imelda’s conversation lowered into angry whispers, the rest of the hall resumed their conversations. The Hufflepuffs around you seemed quiet for a house that just won the first quidditch match of the season. However, once they retreated to their common room, you gleaned that they were just being polite to the Slytherins. 

The common room had loud music playing and a seventh year was handing out drinks. From what you could tell, the younger students were given butterbeer and older students had a few options. Poppy and you took cups of meade; Elias took a cup of butterbeer. 

“No fun drink for you?” you asked.

He smiled and said, “I prefer to keep my wits about me rather than summon up false courage.”

“Hmm, noble,” you muttered, taking a sip of your drink. 

You, Poppy and Elias milled around the perimeter of the common room, slightly pressed against the wall. You were fairly certain almost all of the Hufflepuffs were in the common room with a decent number of students from Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. With all the people moving past you and the room being so insanely loud, you didn’t actually notice when Poppy disappeared from your side. Not knowing many other Hufflepuffs, you nervously grabbed Elias’s hand, not wanting to lose him. When he felt you hand grab his, he smiled and gave it a squeeze. He turned to look at you, but his smile fell when he saw the nervousness in your eyes. 

“Let’s find somewhere to sit,” he said, leaning into your ear so you could hear him.

You nodded and followed as he pulled you into the crowd. You went deeper into the common room before finding a spot on a couch. It looked as if furniture had been pushed towards the wall to make a pseudo dancefloor. You were shocked at the number of bodies in the room. Elias pulled on your arm to get you to sit, seeing that you were still overwhelmed by it all. He was sitting on the end of the couch with you next to him. He tentatively put an arm behind you on the back of the couch. You took the opportunity to scoot a little close to him. In this situation, you felt safe. 

“Is this your first Hogwarts party?” he asked, his breath hot on your neck. “I don’t recall seeing you at the one last year.”

You turned to look at him. “Didn’t make the invite list, I guess. Although, I was rather busy… and didn’t you have a girlfriend at that point?”

Elias turned a little pink. “Uh, yeah… But that’s over with. I’m surprised you weren’t invited. Definitely had your title by then.”

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes. “Hero of Hogwarts can sound like snitch sometimes,” you said with a soft laugh. “But the amount of rule breaking I had to do to earn it? Makes it a bit ironic.”

“Breaking rules, huh?”

“Sneaking into the restricted section, sneaking in and out of the castle, learning spells that aren’t on the curriculum, breaking curfew a lot, missing classes, unnecessarily putting myself into danger’s way. You know.”

His mouth fell slack. He was baffled by how casually you talked about it. 

“Wait, did you say spells that aren’t on the curriculum?”

You nodded slowly, blushing. “I needed to know how to protect myself and fifth year spells weren’t up to snuff.” 

You really didn’t want to expand on how much you had used the Cruciatus curse on goblins and ashwinders last year. Multiple uses of an unforgivable curse would likely earn you a one-way ticket to Azkaban and at that point, you might as well turn Sebastian in as well. 

“I’m sure you only did what you had to. Plus, from what I’ve heard from rumors, trouble did come and find you by itself. A troll in Hogsmeade followed by Rookwood accosting you in the Three Broomsticks? That story made its rounds.”

You laughed, feeling more confident. 

“Well, that’s all true. I just wanted to get my own wand and school supplies. And a troll attacks the village. Sebastian and I took care of one while Officer Singer and some others led another away from the village,” you recalled, noticing a momentary distaste cross Elias’s face when you mentioned Sebastian. “And then we went to get butterbeers to celebrate. Enter Rookwood and suddenly I had the entire tavern standing up to protect me from him. It really was something.”

Elias reached toward your face and tucked a stray strand of hair behind your ear. 

“You certainly are an accomplished witch.”

“Why, thank you,” you said graciously. “So I’ve had plenty of rumors about me spread through school. I haven’t heard anything about you. Tell me about yourself.”

“I’m afraid there isn’t really much to tell,” he said meekly. “Don’t play quidditch. Never was any good at dueling. I’ve been taking alchemy, which I seem to be rather good at.”

“Alchemy… Hmmm. What about your family?”

“Got an older brother who’s graduated, obviously. He’s a magizoologist. Mum and Dad are alive and well,” he said with a chuckle at the end. “What else do you want to know?”

“Your favorite color.”

“Robin egg blue.”

You smiled widely. “I like a guy who knows his shades of colors. So much better than ‘I dunno, blue.’”

“I like a girl who’s accomplished,” he replied, glancing down at your lips briefly.

You noticed and blushed. “Having a silly title doesn’t make me accomplished.”

“But you also won Crossed Wands last year. And are a trove of knowledge,” he said, adjusting his arm so it was draped across your shoulder rather than the back of the couch. “I glanced at your work in the library. You work quickly and diligently. That seems to scream accomplished.”

“So your brother’s a magizoologist?” you asked quickly, trying to change the topic off you. 

He nodded, but didn’t say anything more. He continued to look at your face. You nervously looked around, being reminded that you were at a party. No one was looking at you. Everyone seemed totally consumed in their own lives, dancing and drinking and enjoying the party. A thumb stroking your cheek brought your attention back to Elias. 

“So being a hero and master duelist doesn’t make you accomplished. Tell me about you and your family. There must be more to you than extreme humility.”

You blushed again. “Don’t have much for family.” Well, not since you erased your parents’ memory of you. “Taking Beasts and Divination as my electives. Although, I’m not entirely sure why I decided to carry on with Divination, not really my cup of tea. A bit unsure of what I want to do after Hogwarts, but I’m thinking research.”

“Very on brand for a Ravenclaw. Would it be something for the ministry?”

You shrugged. “More of a personal thing, I guess. I’d probably write essays for publication. Someone has to understand all this magic around us.”

Some Gryffindors walked towards your couch and tried to sit down. It was tight with four students across. You had hoped they would get uncomfortable and leave quickly, but they didn’t. 

“Let me,” Elias said, grabbing under your legs to turn you sideways and then pulling you into his lap.

“Oh!” you gasped in surprise, throwing an arm around his neck to balance yourself.

Your knees were now resting on the armrest, feet dangling. Your face turned bright red.

“Too much?” he asked as if suddenly realizing how intimate this position was. 

“No,” you breathed. “Just took me by surprise.”

He snaked one arm around your waist to hold you steady, the other resting on your thighs. 

“You’re sure that this is okay? I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

You nodded. “Elias, this is fine.” You leaned in closer to his ear. “Much better than being squished up against them.” 

Returning to your original position, you spotted Poppy walking through the entry to the secondary room that you were in. She was walking with Lenora, who pointed at you on Elias’s lap. Poppy’s eyes went wide and then they exchanged giggles before turning around. You sighed and rested your head on Elias’s shoulder. 

“What are you doing after Hogwarts?” you asked. 

“I have an apprenticeship set up in Diagon Alley for a potioneer. I figured it’s something solid to work on while I see if I can actually make anything out of Alchemy.”

“I’ve never been to Diagon Alley. Is it nice?”

He gaped at you momentarily. “What do you mean you’ve never been?”

“Fig took care of getting my school supplies and I stayed in the highlands over the summer so I just placed my orders from Hogsmeade. It’s in London, right?”

“Yes. Merlin, Y/N, you have to go!”

“I just need a reason too,” you said with a giggle. 

Elias removed his hand from your thigh and traced his thumb under your jawline. 

“I think that can be arranged.”

He leaned in and kissed you. It was gentle and soft at first, but when you didn’t pull away, he deepened the kiss. His grip on your waist tightened, pulling you closer to his chest. You kept one arm around his neck and placed your other hand on his chest. 

You felt brutally reminded that you hadn’t kissed anyone in years, and even then, you had never properly made out with anyone. You almost gasped when his tongue touched your lips. Having parted your lips in surprise, his tongue slid into your mouth and started to explore. Your own wrestled with it for dominance. 

It didn’t take long for you to adjust your position so that you were straddling Elias on the couch. You had one hand behind his head tangled in his hair with the other arm still wrapped around his neck. He had one hand firmly placed on your waist and the other up your shirt, groping your chest. You didn’t mind it. 

It wasn’t until a Prefect broke you up did you realize how long you had been snogging in a public place. 

“Alright, that’s enough. There are still first years out here,” he said, a hand on each’s shoulder. 

You both blushed deeply. 

“Maybe they should go to bed then,” Elias suggested, not looking away from you. 

You, however, were looking at the Prefect. 

“What time is it?”

“Almost curfew,” he answered. “So decide if you’re staying or not.”

You turned an even darker shade of red. You removed yourself from Elias’s lap. 

“I’ll see you around, Cotton,” you said flirtatiously, giving him a wink. 

Then you left the Hufflepuff Common Room. You took your time as you walked to Ravenclaw Tower. There weren’t many Prefects out yet and you could always use a disillusionment charm if you needed. You liked being out and about in the castle after curfew; it was always much more peaceful and you thought the moonlight gave it an eerie beauty. This meant that it was well past curfew when you entered her own common room. 

You immediately saw Samantha asleep on the ground by the fire. You crouched by her to wake her up. 

“Sammy Dale, wakey wakey!”

She slowly opened her eyes. 

“Y/N? You’re back!”

You nodded. “Yes and it’s time for bed.”

“I’ll go to bed after you tell me about the fight and the party!”

“Should we go wake up Connie so I don’t have to tell the story twice?” 

“Hmmm… no. Tell me now!”

“Can we at least go to the couch? You were sleeping on the floor.”

Samantha nodded and you got settled on the couch. You recounted the fight and breaking it up, although you left out Elias’s comment about you maybe dating Sebastian. You did explain how you put Sebastian in his place and told him he was relieved of his “guard dog” duties. Samantha’s eyes watched you intently. 

“I saw you ate with Poppy and the guy Sebastian fought.”

“Elias Cotton, yeah.”

She hummed before saying, “And then you went straight to the Hufflepuff party?”

“Yeah. It was crazy. First off, getting to see another house’s common room? So cool. But also, the party was basically in full swing by the time we got there! You walk in, you’re handed a drink and then you’re basically shoved into the wall unless you’re pushing back.”

“So, how was your first Hogwarts party?”

“I’d say pretty fun. Looking forward to going to others. Drink and dancing, what could be better?” You were purposefully leaving out everything that happened with Elias. You didn’t feel you needed to tell anyone since you didn’t expect it to develop into anything. 

Samantha seemed content enough with your answer and yawned. You helped her up to their dorm, where Constance was happily snoring away. Once you tucked your friend in, you grabbed a simple Sleeping Draught. You figured that day had been good enough to guarantee you good dreams. 

You didn’t expect to wake up to both Constance and Samantha standing at the side of your bed, shaking you.

“You left out some very interesting details from your story, Y/N!” Samantha exclaimed.

You sat up, looking a little confused.

“She filled me in at breakfast and then we hear from the Hufflepuff table that you were snogging Elias Cotton all night?” Constance said. 

“You just said dancing and drinking!” 

“It didn’t seem relevant? It’s not like it’s going anywhere,” you muttered, still trying to wake up. 

“Based on what we heard, it’s about all you did? Did you even dance?” Samantha asked.

“No… But we were surrounded by dancing. So close enough?”

“No! Not close enough! Plus, now you have to deal with Andrew,” Constance told you.

“Why do I have to deal with Andrew?”

“Boy has been pining after you basically since you were sorted into Ravenclaw. We finally convince him to just ask you out and you say no, only to be snogging someone else the next weekend? He’s a bit upset, Y/N,” Constance explained. 

“It was just kissing. It didn’t mean anything!”

“Cotton seemed fairly happy about it at breakfast,” Samantha chirped.

“Great. Good for him. Where is Andrew?”

“Common room.”

“I’ll get dressed and sort stuff out.”

Once dressed, you descended the stairs to find Andrew. Your friends followed close behind, not wanting to miss out on what was most likely going to be very entertaining for them. Andrew was sitting at a table with Everett, playing wizards’ chess. 

“Andrew, I hear we need to talk,” you said as you approached the table.

“You can say that,” he grumbled, not looking up from the game.

“Andrew,” you said, trying to get him to look at you.

“So when I asked you to the quidditch game and you said you weren’t ready to date, you really meant that you didn’t want to date me? You could’ve just said no!” 

“I’m not ready to date. I’m not dating anyone!”

“I heard you two were pretty cozy at the Hufflepuff party,” he sneered. “He’s surely not trying to hide it.”

“Yes, we made out. A proper snog. It’s called a party. Sorry I had fun!” Your voice was rising and beginning to carry. 

“A proper snog?” Andrew gasped. 

“Yes,” you said indignantly. “And that’s all it was and will be. Because I am not ready to date anyone. I don’t care what you hear from anyone else. I am not dating anyone.”

Their small argument had drawn attention from other Ravenclaws in the common room. You hoped that this could help cancel out whatever rumors were already spreading about you and Elias. You weren't a fan that he was leaning into them, especially since you didn’t spend the night with him. If you had, that would have been another story. 

---

You had spent the rest of the weekend doing homework and informing anyone who came up to you that you wasn’t dating the Hufflepuff. It was certainly more people than you would’ve liked. By the time Beasts class rolled around, you were hoping to get Poppy to spread the word around the Hufflepuff Common Room that you were not dating Elias. 

“Yeah, I’ll spread it around. I can even tell Elias to shut up, assuming you’re avoiding being seen with him for the time being. Although, I must say, so much for taking another dragon over spending time with a boy,” she teased with a grin.

“Oh shut up! But, thank you for helping squash these rumors. I figured I should avoid him since that would only add to the rumors,” you said with a laugh. Professor Howin was still talking with a student from an earlier class.

“I’ve been thinking about something though. Was Sebastian around when Andrew asked you out in Hogsmeade?”

“Actually, yes. Andrew asked and then Sebastian comes barreling through, knocking Andrew to the ground.” 

“Huh. That only helps my theory.”

You gave her a look. “And that theory is?”

“I don’t think Sebastian likes seeing you with other guys, especially not in a romantic setting. It would explain the bludger.”

You gave her a confused look as you played with the Golden Snidget chick on your desk, still waiting for the professor to start the class. 

“Sebastian pushes down Andrew in Hogsmeade when he hears him ask you. He sees Elias standing too close for his comfort during the game? Launches a bludger to force you two apart. I guess Elias must’ve said something while walking to the Great Hall when Sebastian attacked him… I didn’t peg him for a muggle fighter though.” She paused. “Anyways, sounds like Sebastian is jealous or overly protective. Maybe both.”

You rolled your eyes. “Idiotic is what he is. He has nothing to be jealous of since I’m not going to date anyone. And, please, like I need protecting. He’s seen me fight more trolls and ashwinders last year…”

“I know. But just think about it. Have you seen the way he looks at you? Last year, the way you two flirted and were always together?”

“Poppy, what are you implying?”

“You know fully well what I’m implying.”

You groaned. 

“You don’t know him like I do,” you said. “There is no way that Sebastian likes me like that.”

And then Professor Howin cleared her throat, apologized for starting class late and began that day’s lecture on Golden Snidget chicks. 

---

You learned from a Ravenclaw quidditch player that Slytherin had the pitch booked for practice on Wednesday. You were determined to talk to Ominis about what Poppy had suggested in Beast class. If anyone knew, it would be him and you were desperate enough to swallow your pride. You had taken claim to a spot on the Central Hall fountain outside the library. You waited and watched. 

You saw him approach the library.

Standing up, you called out “Ominis!”

He visibly tensed and stopped walking. He turned in the direction of your voice. You were already walking toward him, which he knew because of his outstretched wand.

“Do I need to run or cast Protego?” he asked nervously.

“Neither,” you said shortly. “I have a few questions.”

His body eased slightly. “Okay…”

“Do you know why Sallow is attacking every boy who asks me out?”

“Is it… not obvious?”

“Ominis,” you warned. 

“You can say we are not your guard dogs anymore but I do not think Sebastian possesses the ability to just let you go.” 

Your eyes narrowed, searching his face for something more than what he was saying. “I’m not sure I’m understanding what you are saying.”

“Let’s sit, shall we?” he offered with a sigh. “Let me tell you about the summer.”

You walked to an alcove up the stairs where no one else was sitting. Ominis sat with his back all the way against the wall, giving him impossibly perfect posture. You, however, sat cross legged on the bench, turned towards Ominis with your elbows resting on your knees.

“So this summer?”

“Utterly horrible without you. Even worse with Sebastian spending almost every moment sulking. I am honestly not sure if he would have done anything at all without me there. Like not eating, bathing, maintaining the house.” He paused. “And he has become increasingly insufferable this term.”

“Okay…”

“Listen, Y/N, he regretted what he said from the moment he said it. I hate to have to define it, but we were both aghast to hear what you had planned. He just chose the absolute worst words to use.”

You didn’t say anything.

“Did you… did you do it?” he asked softly.

“Yes.”

“Where did you end up spending your summer?”

“Traveling. Never in one spot too long.”

He nodded. “I wish you could have seen the number of half-written letters that littered the floor in Feldcroft. I think he tried to send one or two, but the owl came back with the letter.”

“If it makes you feel any better, I wasn’t reachable by owl for anyone. Constance and Samantha gave me an earful about that. Oops,” you said, not sounding remorseful. “But you mean to say that he would’ve died without you this summer?”

“Essentially. It was like after Anne was first cursed again.”

You laughed dryly, causing Ominis to grimace slightly. “Except he caused this.”

His lips formed a thin line. “He did.”

There was silence for a moment.

“He has a tendency to push away people who care about him, doesn’t he?” you asked softly.

“I suppose you could say that.”

“Solomon, before the Catacombs, obviously cared for the twins. Sure, he only gave them tough love, but I think that’s just who he was. Anne saw what Sebastian did, even if he was just trying to heal her. I’m surprised that you’re still at his side, given everything he’s done. Even if some of it has been with my encouragement. The Scriptorium… And then what he called me. When I’ve been at his side since I met him. I wanted to ensure that I could stay by his side and then he calls me… that,” you said, scoffing at the end. 

“He might regret losing you the most,” Ominis said, his voice tender. 

“And he shows it by attacking every boy who asks me out?”

“He’s rash.”

You laughed heartily. 

“These are not his words, but they seem to have the right feel to them. Sebastian thinks of you as his and anyone threatening that is, well, a threat. So he takes care of the threat.”

You blinked at him. “That I’m his? Merlin, is he really telling people that we are dating?”

“I do not think he has gone that far,” he said, biting his bottom lip nervously. “At least verbally. It is sort of implied?”

You groaned loudly. “Well, if it didn’t get into his head after he fought Elias, you can remind him that we are not dating.”

You stood up and left Ominis sitting on the bench alone. You marched all the way back to Ravenclaw Tower and up to your dorm. You had never been more glad that it was empty. You did not have it in you to talk to Constance and Samantha, nor anyone else. Feeling more irritated than you had before talking to Ominis, you tried to focus all of her energy into finishing your homework. Once you had finished, you decided to skip dinner. You downed both a Sleeping Draught and Dreamless Sleep Potion. 

---

As the rest of the week passed, you were still adamantly denying the dating Elias rumors. You had managed to avoid him since the party, not even seeing him at meals in the Great Hall, but that might have had more to do with you not actively looking for him. Perhaps Poppy had given him an earful and he was avoiding you as well. At some point, you overheard someone say that he was in the Hospital Wing, suffering from a nasty combination of hexes. You just sighed and continued on your way to class. You figured that not visiting would enforce the notion that it had just been a snog and that you were nothing more. 

The Potions classroom was a mixture of emotions when you walked through the doors. The female portion seemed to be buzzing with excitement while the males were more disinterested. You looked at the board where Professor Sharp had scrawled “Amortentia.” You took your seat next to Garreth.

“What’s the deal with Amortentia?” you asked, leaning over to him. 

“Only the most powerful love potion,” he answered. “That’s why,” he gestured to the giggling girls, “they are all so excited.”

“Huh… Doesn’t seem like something they should teach us how to brew?”

“Oh, I’m not,” Professor Sharp said, standing near your station. “I’ll be teaching how to recognize the potion, its effects and its antidote. Those are far more useful.”

Professor Sharp brought the rest of the class’s attention to him and he began the lesson. The first half was extremely detailed. Every characteristic of the potion. Its effects on the drinker. You were intrigued by it; you would never brew it but magic this powerful always drew your attention. You felt that the inventor had been trying to make an actual love potion, rather than the obsession potion it really was. 

Professor Sharp paused his lecture to show them a small cauldron of Amortentia. He lifted the lid so they could see its mother-of-pearl sheen and perfect spirals of steam. Then, he invited each student to smell it so they would know what it smelled like to them. Some students were eager to share what they smelled while others were more sheepish. Garreth turned nearly the same shade of his hair, which you momentarily teased him about. But then it was your turn to smell the potion, which would smell like whatever attracted you the most.

After barely taking one whiff of the Amortentia potion, you tumbled backwards into a potion station. You felt as if you were going to faint. 

“Professor, may I be excused?”

Professor Sharp looked you over briefly. “Very well.”

You left your stuff behind as you bolted out the door. Sebastian watched you leave before raising his hand. 

“Professor, may I be excused as well?”

“Mr. Sallow, are you going to chase after Ms. L/N?”

Sebastian didn’t know what answer the professor wanted to hear so he settled on saying nothing. Apparently his facial expression betrayed him. 

“Ms. L/N is a remarkable young witch, fully capable of handling herself,” Professor Sharp told him. “You can speak with her if she returns or after class. In other words, no, you may not be excused.”

“But sir!” he protested. 

“Mr. Sallow, no.”

Sebastian slumped in his seat. He needed to check on you. His thoughts were spinning with ideas of what you could have possibly smelled in the potion that made you go so pale and need to leave the classroom to be able to compose yourself. 

You kept running. You hadn’t been expecting the potion to be that potent and it felt like you couldn’t breathe. You pushed through doors and ran up stairs, not paying attention to where you were going. Until you stopped and realized you found yourself outside the entrance to the Undercroft. Having left both Ominis and Sebastian in the Potions classroom, you took a breath and entered. It would be empty. 

The cold air that greeted you was a friendly welcome. It was almost exactly as you had last seen it. The shattered boxes and destroyed books from your fight with Sebastian were gone. The floor and pillars had more scorch marks than you remembered, but given Sebastian’s love for Confringo, it made sense. You walked over to a couch that you had conjured in the spring. You could still hear the boys complaining about your choice to conjure a worn-looking couch, but you stood by your defense that it matched the general feeling for the Undercroft. There were two cushy armchairs across from the couch and new bookshelves along the walls, holding books and small trinkets. 

Sinking into the cushy cushions, you sighed and put your head in your hands. Your brain felt foggy from the effects of smelling the Amortentia. You thought you were just supposed to smell what attracted you. You had expected fresh cookies and a woodfire, with a hint of lemon. With one small breath in, visions of your adventures with Sebastian from the previous year flashed in your mind. Each memory had its own scent that took over. The intensity of it almost made you black out. You didn’t understand why you had been so affected. Every other student was able to still function after they smelled the potion.

You also had to figure out why it showed you the memories with Sebastian. You had acknowledged ages ago that you had a crush on him from the day she met him. Time for a proper Hogwarts welcome, he had told you before you easily won your first duel against him. You adored how he cared for his sister and his determination to find a cure, willing to do whatever it took to a fault. You remembered feeling so completely utterly hurt when he called you ignorant for trusting Lodgok. But he had held you so tight after Professor Fig’s death… 

You shook your head, trying to get anything sappy out of your brain. You had to remember your fight after receiving your O.W.L. results. It had been at that moment you swore that you were over him. You thought after a summer of not thinking about him, you would be over him. According to the Amortentia, that was far from true. 

***

The three of you had gathered in the Undercroft to open your O.W.L. results together. After studying for hours together, it only felt right. A quick glance at the collections of O’s and E’s and singular A told you that you all passed. You had all gotten the grades you wanted and would be able to continue in your desired subjects. You took great pride in being the only one from the trio to get an O in Potions. 

Being that it was your second to last day of the semester, you wanted to spend all day together. You planned on seeing each other during the summer, but spending time in the Undercroft in your uniforms was just different. 

“Are you still planning on bachelor padding this summer?” you asked as you lounged on the couch.

“Bachelor padding?” Ominis asked slowly.

“She’s asking if you’ll be staying in Feldcroft, Ominis,” Sebastian clarified for you. “And yes, he is.”

“Ah. Well, I do have to go home to Gaunt Manor for a week, but that is only a quick mandatory visit.” 

“You never talk about your summer plans,” Sebastian observed, looking over at you. “I mean, you said you’d come visit us, but never what you’re doing or where you’ll be the rest of it.”

“I have a few options. Haven’t decided on anything yet.”

You didn’t elaborate. Your plan was to visit your parents briefly, but not out of obligation like Ominis. You were planning on using Obliviate on them, a spell you had read about, to erase yourself from their memory. If you didn’t, they would be more than concerned about your inability to sleep without potions and then they would pry until you told them of all the events of the past year. If they knew everything, they would never let you go back and you decided that you couldn’t risk that. After wiping their memory, your plan was to wing it. You had briefly discussed renting a room from Sirona for the summer, an expensive option that would keep you local to Hogwarts. If you decided to go that route, you would’ve seen if Mr. Pippin needed an assistant or maybe the Magic Neep or Dogwood and Deathcap needed help. A part of you was still debating asking the boys if they minded you joining in. Sebastian’s uncle’s house wasn’t the biggest, but you assumed the three of you would make do. And then there was your last option: to rough it around the highlands. 

“Are you going to your parents? You’re muggleborn, right?” Ominis asked.

“Yes, and yes. I don’t think I’ll be staying with them all summer.”

It wasn’t a lie but it sure did feel like one. 

“So where will you be staying?” Sebastian asked, narrowing his eyes.

“I just said I haven’t decided on anything yet,” you repeated yourself. 

“Okay, then why aren’t you spending the summer at your parents? What are your options?” Sebastian asked intently.

“Might get a room at the Three Broomsticks. Might travel…”

Ominis tilted his head to the side. “You didn’t answer the first question. I won’t be at my parents’ because I have a disdain for them. Sebastian, sorry mate, but he doesn’t have any parents, but at least we will be at his uncle’s place.”

You looked down at your hands and picked at your fingernails. 

“I’m afraid… they won’t…” You paused, trying to find the right words. You cleared your throat before speaking again with an unsteady voice, “They won’t remember having a daughter in less than a week’s time.”

“Excuse me?” Ominis asked.

“What on earth do you mean?” followed Sebastian.

“I’m going to Obliviate them,” you said, your voice barely a whisper. 

They stared at you in complete shock. Sebastian looked at Ominis and then back at you.

“You’re going to do what?”

“Make them forget they ever had a daughter, let alone a witch,” you said, your voice slightly more confident. 

“And why the hell would you do that?” Sebastian asked, standing up.

You sighed and then explained your fear that they wouldn’t let you come back after everything and the nightmares.

“It’s just easier this way,” you said. 

“So let me get this straight, you have a loving family with both parents still alive. And you are going to choose to leave them? To have them forget about your existence?” Ominins asked in disbelief, shaking his head. 

“I know it sounds insensitive, especially given both of your circumstances, but…”

Sebastian cut you off. “No, you can’t do that. You have a good family! You can’t let that go to waste. You can’t.”

“They’ll cut me from…”

“No. We wouldn’t let them do that to you. And we won’t let you do that to them,” Sebastian continued. He started pacing around the Undercroft. “You have a family that loves you and is alive and cares for you and…”

It was your turn to cut him off. “And won’t let me leave the house, maybe not even my room, if they knew how many times I was inches from death. They would block anyone from reaching me. I can’t have that.”

“Y/N,” Ominis said with concern in his voice. 

“No. You two cannot convince me not to do this. I have to do this. I can’t lose magic.” Your voice, although sure of itself, was thick with emotion. 

“Y/N,” Ominis repeated with more conviction. “You control ancient magic. You literally cannot lose magic.” 

“They’d find a way.”

“You can’t push away your family. You can’t. You… you have…”

“I don’t have to do anything you say. I can’t lose this,” you said, gesturing to everything around you. Your voice was getting louder and determined. 

“You have a good family, Y/N,” Ominis said, maintaining his calm tone. “I do not think it is wise to…”

You cut him off too. “It’s my only option. You don’t understand!”

“You are experiencing what the family-less look like here and you want to join us… That’s so…” Sebastian was struggling to find words.

“I have felt more at home here than I ever did in the muggle world. That family doesn’t matter anymore. I’d rather be an orphan.”

Hearing you say that struck a nerve with Sebastian.

“You fatuous mudblood!” he yelled at you, regretting it the moment the words exited his mouth, but that didn’t stop the red sparks from appearing at the end of his wand.

The look on your face said it all. It brought you directly back to when he had called you ignorant.

“So that’s how you really feel,” you said, suddenly sounding calm, although tears were beginning to form in your eyes. 

You felt anger well up inside you. You launched Confringo at a crate in a corner, to prevent yourself from sending it at Sebastian. It felt good, a cathartic release. You sent a handful of spells towards other crates and a pile of books. Sebastian put a Protego shield around him and Ominis to protect them from your cascading spells. By the time the dust settled and smoke cleared, you were gone.

“Sebastian,” Ominis said slowly. “Please tell me you did not call her what I heard you call her.”

“I-I can’t.” He paused, taking a shaky breath. “I’m afraid I’m not myself right now. Excuse me.”

Sebastian walked out of the Undercroft. His face was stoney.

You had sprinted all the way to Ravenclaw Tower. You packed your things as quickly as you could. You still technically had one more night at Hogwarts, but you didn’t care. You were leaving as soon as you could. Samantha and Constance didn’t see you leave. You were gone before they returned to the common room and were left wondering where you disappeared to. It wouldn’t be until July that you showed your face in Hogsmeade, and by that time, your parents believed that they had never had a child.

[choccy-milky]

clora admiring her strong beater boyfriend 💪💕 ((from chap 21 of my fic!))

[zevrra]

caught in the rain—

synopsis: you and sebastian seek shelter inside an abandoned home where every feeling is laid to bare.

tags: sfw, pure fluff, fem!reader, hogwarts legacy, sebastian sallow(18+), about 3k words

“As if this day couldn’t get any worse,” You mutter. Mostly to yourself but you wouldn’t at all be surprised if Sebastian had heard too. You both had been sent out together to gather some information about some dark magic being practiced on the Poidsear Coast.

Everything had been going smoothly, from taking witness statements to tracking down the dark wizard’s hideout to the coast, even the two of you getting along.

That is until an unexpected heavy downpour comes. Cold rain falls heavy like a thick blanket on the two of you, forcing you to take shelter. Every piece of clothing you wore was soaked—down to your very bones. Thankfully, Sebastian and yourself had managed to find an abandoned home. Boarded up with a more than obvious appearance of not having been taken care of in a very long time.

While you say things could not be worse you really didn’t mean it. Being rained on and forced to wear your freezing clothes wasn’t truly the worst thing in the world. Neither was being stuck in that house with your academic rival. And crush.

“Well. Try not to make it sound so horrible now,” Sebastian sarcastically says. Teasing you as he shrugs off his heavy coat in some hope to warm himself. Rolling up the sleeves of his white shirt as he does anything but look at you. “We could be in some troll’s den. That would be worse.” He chuckles as he checks out the house, hoping to find anything to maybe start a fire with. Swatting away at cobwebs with an annoyed look.

You sigh. Too cold to even defend yourself at the moment. Moving to stand next to a window. Watching as lightning flashes across the sky and the harsh sound of thunder that follows.

“We’ll be here all night if this storm doesn’t stop soon.” You say, irritated. Not that sleeping in some random home, far from the safety of Hogwarts, with no other change of clothes, no warmth, and no bed, didn’t sound fantastic and all but it would also reset all of your progress from today. Tracking down the dark wizard hiding out on this coast had been an assignment given to the two of you and not completing it would leave you both looking rather poorly in your professor's eyes.

“You worry too much,” Sebastian says, cutting into your thoughts, making you look away from the window and towards where his voice had carried from.

You watch as he moves towards the other end of the dark home, Lumos, lighting the tip of his wand as he examines the place. Stairs lead to a second story or perhaps an attic in the farthest corner from the door. Off next to the stairs is a large stone fireplace just waiting to be lit.

“See, always so dramatic.”

You roll your eyes at Sebastian as you follow him into the home. Shoulders tense as you wait for anything to jump out at you. No damn spider was sneaking up on you, not today. In a smaller room straight across from the stairs sits untouched furniture from who knows how long ago. With chairs perfect for disassembling and using as firewood.

Well, at least you’d be semi-warm and somewhat dry for the rest of the time being.

After some rearranging and the use of Incendio, the two of you make quick work of starting a fire and laying out your cloaks before the hearth to dry. Now you are left in just your blouse and skirt, shoes and socks forgotten until they also get the chance to dry as the storm continues to rage outside.

Sebastian stood beside the fireplace, hands held out to try and warm his fingers up. The dull sound of the rain is really the only noise the two of you make. You were friends, classmates, but above all rivals. You could have a civil conversation but seeing as the two of you were there on an assignment, things were tense as both of you wanted to outdo the other.

You shiver, curling up on yourself by pulling your knees to your chest. The fire was working well but the wet clothes still sticking to your body kept you from truly getting to warm up.

“I’m going to go look for a blanket.” Sebastian says, suddenly breaking the silence between the two of you.

You nod in response as he leaves to rummage around the forgotten home. His search for a blanket takes him up the stairs and you watch him go. An eerie feeling creeps up your spine as soon as you‘re left alone. The strange feeling of being watched itches just behind your senses of being cold. It makes you look over your shoulder a few times. That is until Sebastian finally returns.

A thick quilt is draped across your shoulders that startles you ever so slightly. In all honesty, you had thought Sebastian went to retrieve the blanket for himself. Now with the heavy cloth wrapping around your own body you realize that he had been watching you beforehand. He had retrieved the blanket solely for you. The thought makes you flush.

He moves to sit beside you now. Hands returning to hover out in front of the flickering flames. “There’s also a bed upstairs. If you’re tired.” Sebastian once again cuts through the silence to speak.

You laugh at his words. Shaking your head as you tighten the blanket around you. “Tempting but no thank you.” You reply, turning your gaze to the fireplace.

“Why not?” Sebastian asks. From his tone he seems genuinely confused.

His confusion makes you chuckle again. As if he really didn’t know. “Oh alright, Sebastian. Let me just go take a small nap while you run off, find and finish our assignment, and then take all of the credit.” You tease. A smile stretches across your lips as if you’ve caught him in the act.

You imagine he’ll make some funny quip about how you were right and that he was just thinking of a way to get ahead in your studies but instead he says nothing.

The silence has you lifting your head to glance over at the other. His brow is furrowed and there’s a deep frown on his face. Clearly you’ve said something wrong.

“Do you truly think I’m so shallow?” Seb whispers. His voice drips with displeasure.

The disdain in his tone was not something you were used to. Sure, Sebastian had had his moments for being a little irritated with you. From cave crawling and accidentally setting off a trap to the two of you butting-heads for top grades but never had he sounded so…upset and hurt before.

Now it was your turn to truly be confused. You did not think of him as shallow or selfish but you also wouldn’t put it past your rival to take the upper hand on you.

“I don’t find you shallow.” You awkwardly reply. Suddenly you’re thankful for the sound of rain and thunder. “I didn’t mean to offend you.” You add quickly afterwards.

“We may be rivals academically but I’m not your enemy. I’m not evil. I still care for you.” Sebastian says with a sigh. You can feel his eyes on the side of your face. Searching for something you’re not sure of at the moment.

“I apologize,” You mutter. Now would be the perfect time to suddenly disappear. “I simply just thought because of school you would take the opportunity…” You ramble. Wondering why you were even telling Sebastian any of this.

This time, it’s his turn to laugh. It’s a very dry and curt laugh. No humor lingers behind it like it normally would. “I would never sabotage you.”

“No?” You reply short and simple. Wondering why now he would have a soft spot for you. Seeing as he had never before when it involved your academic standpoint.

“What do I have to gain besides you hating me?” Sebastian asks, again genuinely curious. His now warmed hands rub against his cold shoulders and biceps. Hoping to chase away the chill. “I would never want you to hate me.” He adds in a hushed voice.

Listening to Sebastian be so open was definitely something entirely new to you. He was the type to be open about pretty much everything except his feelings. His true, genuine, feelings. And now that he was wearing his heart on his sleeve, you couldn’t help but want him to keep talking. “Not that I would ever hate you but would that really be the end of the world?”

Sebastian turns to look at you then. His brown eyes meet your own as the light from the fireplace softly caresses his features. Turns his freckled face into something far more gentle than you’re used to. Yet you weren’t entirely sure if that was because of the dim lighting or the fact that he was looking upon you with such tenderness that it made him look more attractive suddenly.

“To me, yes, it would be.” He admits openly. As if this is something Sebastian said on a daily basis. As if he constantly told you how important you truly were to him.

Upon realizing his confession, Sebastian’s eyes widened. He coughs in an attempt to move the conversation along, or even just to simply cover up the fact that he just told you how horrible the world would be without you. His face flushes a dark red that even in the dim light you can see.

“Only because, well, you know! I wouldn’t have anyone else to compete with!” He stammers, trying to save face.

It’s a little too late for that now though. You knew he meant something a little more meaningful.

You smile as he avoids your line of sight. “Sebastian…” You whisper. His name rolling off your tongue has him freezing in place. Unsure if he should flee and never speak about this ever again or just stay still long enough he can pretend he’s dead. “Be honest.”

Sebastian continues to ignore your gaze for the most part. Fiddling with some interesting looking piece of dust on the rundown wooden floor.

“I don’t know what you mean. I am honest! All the time!” Embarrassingly he answers. “You’re just too dense to see it!” The insult is a hollow insult at best. Just another tactic to avoid the situation he’s started.

You hum in response. Scooting closer to the other to try and get a good look at his blushing face. “How so?”

“N-nothing! No, I don’t know!” Sebastian deflects. Attempting to turn and hide his face from your gaze.

You had never seen him so defensive before. Wanting to close off from you entirely but that was something you would not allow. He started this and he needed to finish it or else you might go mad.

“What do you mean?” You ask. Not that you couldn’t read his body language at the moment but you still wanted him to tell you. To be loud and clear with his feelings so that you too could be honest about your own.

“Ugh!“ He groans in frustration. His hands come up to hide his face from your gaze. Covering over mainly his eyes so he doesn’t have to look at you looking at him. “I’ve been in love with you since the first day we met! You’ve never noticed it before so why are you suddenly so keen!?”

The inside of your stomach does a flip. The first day you two met was almost three years ago. Had you really never noticed any of his advances? You think back on all the times when he’d let you copy his notes when you were busy with Mr. Fig for the day. Of all the times he called you annoying but would do anything you asked of him. The countless hours you two would spend in the undercroft, practicing your spells and studying together.

All this time…and he only ever stayed by your side.

You reach to grab gently ahold of his wrists. Somewhat prying his hands away from his face so you could get another good look at him. He’s a mess. Red as a tomato. Blushing like he had been sick with a fever. Hair tousled and curled far more than usual from previously having been rained on.

Sebastian Sallow, your friend and rival, sat before you entirely and wholeheartedly shy. Something you would never have imagined to happen before this day.

He’s still under your touch. Still attempts at avoiding your eyes even now. Doesn’t stop you from reading over his features. From every freckle highlighted by his blush to the pretty length of his eyelashes. He was so handsome. Far more than you had ever realized before.

“Sebastian,” You whisper in a soft tone. As his name is called, his head shifts ever so slightly as he finally meets your gaze once more. A rush of emotion swirls up inside of you. Your chest tightens with sudden adoration for the man sitting before you.

He doesn’t say anything in response though. Just slowly takes control over his own hands, placing one against your cheek. His fingers run gently across your skin. Pushing back damp hair as he finally wants to look at your face.

“You’re an idiot. A fool,” Sebastian mumbles after a few painstakingly long heartbeats. “How did you not know?” He asks as his thumb caresses the high of your cheekbone. A lighthearted tone to his voice. As if it were obvious.

His words make you laugh ever so slightly. Of course you hadn’t realized it. Too blinded by your competitive drive to know that all along he was only competing in hopes to make you like him. Which was silly in itself. Seeing as you had always liked him too.

“Forgive me for not seeing it before,” You reply with a smile. Reaching to touch the back of his hand lovingly. “I would like to know everything now.” You add as you turn your head to kiss the inside of his palm.

His breath hitches as he watches you kiss his hand. A slight tremble in his shoulders tells you he’s holding back on moving things further. Even as his thumb brushes against your lips, while his brown eyes stare at every curve his thumb traces. Wanting to commit all of you to every bit of his memory.

“You…you’re over dramatic, always worrying about me. Sometimes you’re too loud. You manage to best me at everything.” Sebastian rambles on with a soft laugh. “And I love every bit of it. Your drive, your excitement, the way you laugh. Everything about you…”

Sebastian softens as he continues to stare at you. His eyes flick up from your lips to your eyes before glancing back down at the lips he tenderly touches. “And I’ve wanted to kiss you for far too long…”

The words he speaks makes your heart beat far too fast. With how hard your heart beats and how tight your chest is, you could almost swear your heart might have burst out from beneath your ribcage right then and there.

Your own face softens. Pressing your lips gently into the pad of his thumb. “What are you waiting for?” You ask with a smile. And immediately Sebastian mirrors your smile. Now, nothing was going to hold him back.

For a moment, as he leans forward to capture your lips, you thank the sudden rainstorm. For without it, you would never have ended up here, held so lovingly in Sebastian’s arms.

[shadowtriovibes]

it's a sign of the times

Pairing: Sebastian Sallow x f!MC

Rating: PG

Word Count: 3.2K

Summary: request [paraphrased]: "Rivals-to-lovers Sebastian and MC use a Time-Turner to travel to the future with Ominis in search for a cure for Anne. Instead they find a girl who's the spitting image of MC trying to sneak into the Restricted Section in the 1910s, only she has freckles like Sebastian..."

the 'verse continues in "the train ain't even left the station" [AO3]

“Anne-Marie Sallow!” she calls out. “Just where do you think you’re going?” At once, the three of you freeze. “Did she say ‘Sallow?’” hisses Ominis. “Did I hear that right?” “I – no. No,” Sebastian stammers. “There’s no way that’s what she said.”

“Can you please remind me again why I’m even a part of this harebrained scheme?” you ask for at least the third time.

You’re crouched around a small table in one of the far corners of the upper section of the Library. It’s well past curfew, but since you aren’t technically breaking any rules by avoiding the Restricted Section, you’re currently getting away with your loitering, as do most students who are caught studying after hours this close to final exams.

Only, you’re not studying. You’ve been summoned there by Ominis, who despite being your closest friend at Hogwarts is also a conniving, duplicitous liar who neglected to tell you that this whole thing is Sebastian’s idea.

You watch warily as he turns over a contraband Time-Turner in his hands, inspecting its impossibly small dials and knobs. The golden sands inside the hourglass hypnotically shift back and forth while he reads over its inscriptions and consults the guidebook he’d smuggled out of the Restricted Section earlier that same day.

You have no idea where he managed to get the device – perhaps in one of those vaults along the coast in Cragcroftshire that he’d been exploring during the summer term. However, now he’s got it in his head that perhaps the reason you haven’t been able to heal Anne is that the cure to her curse simply hasn’t been invented yet. Therefore, a quick jaunt several years into the future ought to reveal a way to rid Anne of her illness (and maybe even earn his way back into her good graces).

It’s not the first ludicrous and impractical idea he’s had in the past year, nor will it be the last, but it’s certainly one of the more radical ones.

“Merlin’s beard, I’ve already told you,” Sebastian sighs. “Since we’re going forward in time rather than back, this is an unauthorized use, and in case we get stuck in the future, we might need your ancient magic.”

“So I’m an insurance policy?!” you demand.

“Not so much for Sebastian as for me,” Ominis answers plainly. “He thinks he’s got it all sorted out, but I’m not as sure.”

“I know what I’m doing,” Sebastian interjects.

You huff and roll your eyes. “Need I remind you that using a Time-Turner to go forward is expressly forbidden by the Ministry? It’s only to go back.”

“Loads of people have done it, though,” he argues. “I’ve been reading all about it, it’s well-documented.”

“And they’ve all come back to the present?” you demand.

“Yes,” he snaps. “...For the most part.”

You scoff. Unbelievable.

“Do you two honestly think my magic is just an unlimited get-out-of-Azkaban-free pass?” you hiss. “I have no idea how to manipulate time and space. If we get stuck there, we’re stuck there.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure something out like you always do,” Sebastian mutters distractedly as he fiddles with the Time-Turner.

You glance at Ominis pleadingly and he just shrugs.

“You know we can’t let him go alone, we’ll never get him back,” Ominis reasons.

“Is that such a bad thing?” you grumble.

Sebastian shoots you a warning look before he holds up the Time-Turner for the both of you to inspect.

“I have it set to jump forward twenty years,” he explains. “We’ll have to get cozy before we go, as we’ve all got to be wearing it. Physically, we’ll land precisely where we are now, at the same time of day.”

“What if the layout of the Library changes?” you ask skeptically.

“The castle hasn’t changed in centuries,” Ominis points out. “Compared to its history, two decades is indeed quite short.”

“...Fine,” you finally mumble. “Go on, then. Let’s get this over with.”

The three of you stand in a tight circle in a spot tucked away behind some shelves, hoping to remain hidden there after you make the jump forward in time. Sebastian drapes the thin gold chain connected to the Time-Turner around the three of you; it even seems to stretch and extend in length to fit. Then he murmurs a brief incantation to the enchanted timepiece and spins the innermost piece a whopping twenty times.

Your stomach lurches while it turns over and the world around you seems to spin out of control, almost like one of those Muggle carousel rides you saw once as a child. You can barely make out years and years of students and professors walking around you – through you, even – and countless books sliding on and off the shelves until everything comes to a sudden halt and you fall straight to the floor.

Ominis and Sebastian tumble with you, winded.

“That felt bizarre,” Ominis wheezes. “Where are we? Did we travel anywhere?”

“N-no,” Sebastian breathes. “Everything else just… traveled around us.”

You glance around the Library and see that as Ominis had suggested, it looks largely the same. There are some newer books among those you recognize on the shelves, their spines less creased and dyed with more vibrant colors than those of your time.

One title jumps out at you: Advances in Practical Conjuring, 1900-1910

We’re in the 1910s, you think bewilderedly. We’re in a new century.

Mercifully, the layout of the library seems to be largely unchanged. Rows and rows of dimly lit stacks stretch along the length of the grand room with two winding spiral staircases leading down to the lower level.

Once you catch your breath, the three of you cast Disillusionment on yourselves and huddle together to make your way downstairs to the Restricted Section. Ominis leads the way with his wand extended to search for any lingering students or restless ghosts, having long since proven that his spatial awareness bests both yours and Sebastian’s even without his sight.

Your trio makes it downstairs and past the first row of shelves before Ominis stops in his tracks. Sebastian collides with him and then you knock into Sebastian, causing you both to hiss some choice words at each other.

“What’s going on?” you demand in a whisper.

“Someone just came in,” Ominis explains. “The librarian is at the desk and she hasn’t noticed, but a student is coming down the stairs.”

Sure enough, across the room you see a faint flicker of light and can just barely make out the outline of a small student sneaking down the main stairs – must be a young one, you think, no more than thirteen.

“I think it’s a girl,” you offer. “I can see her just over there.”

“What’s she doing?” Sebastian whispers.

“I’m not sure yet,” Ominis says carefully. “She’s past the desk, the librarian didn’t see – oh, for Merlin’s sake.”

“What is it?” you breathe.

“She’s going straight for the Restricted Section,” Ominis mutters. “Just our luck, I suppose.”

The three of you remain crouched behind the shelf while you watch the girl creep ever closer to your hiding spot. You’re panicking inside your head, wondering what possible seams of the universe might immediately be torn to shreds if she were to spot the three of you, but thankfully she seems single-minded in her mission to gain access to the locked collection of books across the room from you.

“She’s tiny,” Sebastian snorts. “I suppose the young ones are even more bold in the future.”

“Weren’t you about her age when you first started to sneak into the Restricted Section?” Ominis reminds him.

Sebastian insists, “No, I was fourteen. I didn’t go in until Anne was attacked. She’s got to be twelve at most, maybe even a first year.”

“Will you two be quiet?” you hiss. “She’s going to hear you!”

Across the room, the Disillusioned girl pulls a key out of the pocket of her robes and starts to insert it into the lock. A girl her age wouldn’t have mastered Alohomora yet, you think, nor would it be effective on this kind of lock. You have no idea how she managed to get a copy of the key, however.

“Do you suppose we could just go in after her?” Sebastian proposes. “She’s nearly got it open, we should take advantage of that.”

“Are you mad?” you scoff. “We can’t be in there at the same time, we’ll get caught!”

“So what if some little girl from the future sees us?” Sebastian argues. “Why wouldn’t she believe we’re just students from her time doing our own research?”

But before you can further explain to Sebastian how astonishingly stupid that idea is, the girl across the room gasps softly and drops her key to the floor. In front of her, the lock is glowing red as if it’s searing hot.

That’s a new security development from your time, you think. It’s rather lucky the three of you didn’t discover that the hard way.

Immediately, the young librarian leaps from her seat and hustles across the room to the Restricted Section’s gated entrance much faster than Madam Scribner ever would have.

“Hang on…” you say under your breath. “Is that – that’s Sophronia!”

“Who?” Ominis asks.

“Sophronia Franklin, she’s a fourth-year in our time,” you explain distractedly. “She’s always lingering in the library, of course she takes over for Scribner once we finish school.”

“I know her,” Sebastian chimes in. “Tried to get me to play a game of trivia in exchange for returning a book on curse breaking I’d been waiting for. Rather precocious, I thought.”

You glare at Sebastian and he merely rolls his eyes.

“I didn’t mean it in a flirtatious way, I was referring to her choice in books,” he grumbles. “Merlin, you’re protective of her.”

“She’s a sweet girl,” you murmur, appreciative of the fact that Sebastian can’t see you blushing. Truthfully, you don’t think much about Sophronia these days, other than that she absolutely cannot catch the three of you in her Library as she’ll easily understand what you’re up to.

Before you can try to convince the boys to call it quits and return to the present, Sophronia rounds the corner and the girl’s Disillusionment charm melts away in surprise.

“Anne-Marie Sallow!” she calls out. “Just where do you think you’re going?”

At once, the three of you freeze.

“Did she say ‘Sallow?’” hisses Ominis. “Did I hear that right?”

“I – no. No,” Sebastian stammers. “There’s no way that’s what she said.”

“Apologies, Madam,” you hear the girl say with a cheeky lilt to her voice. “I was just looking for a book for my aunt, that’s all.”

Just then, Sophronia leans down to pick up the dropped key and all three of you catch a glimpse of the young girl’s face. She’s probably around twelve, like Sebastian had guessed, but her face… Merlin, she could be your younger sister.

Her slightly-upturned nose is nearly identical to yours, only she’s got a small smattering of freckles across hers. Then there’s her chin, which juts out just a bit like yours does, and you’re too far away to make out the color of her eyes but you’re positive that they’re almond-shaped just like your own.

Now that you think about it, her hair is tied back like you always did with yours when you were younger – braided with a green bow at the end, only her hair is a rich, warm brown color.

“...Is that you?” Sebastian asks softly. “How. How are you doing this?”

“That’s not me, I’m right here,” you remind him.

“Hold on, what am I missing?” Ominis whispers.

“That girl looks exactly like this one,” Sebastian insists. “She’s got her nose, her eyes, her face shape. It’s like there’s a second-year version of her, standing right across from us.”

“We’re twenty years into the future,” Ominis reminds you both. “...What if she’s your daughter?”

You feel like the room is starting to spin around you again, and you find yourself pitching to the side before Sebastian quickly tugs on your arm and pulls you back behind the shelf.

“Do not go daft on us now,” he mutters. “I don’t care if that is your daughter–”

“She’s your daughter too, you know,” Ominis chimes in. “In case you were wondering.”

“Wh… What?” Sebastian stutters, and Ominis gestures for the two of you to listen in.

“Goodness, Miss Sallow,” Sophronia sighs. “You really are so much like your father, always sneaking into the Restricted Section.”

You watch as the girl puffs up her chest proudly, a mischievous smirk on her face that doesn’t strike you as particularly like you at all – but rather Sebastian.

“I’ll gladly take that as a compliment, Madam Franklin,” Anne-Marie says.

“While I respect that you are both voracious consumers of knowledge, he, like you, had little respect for the rules of the Restricted Section,” Sophronia continues. “I’ll have to ask you to leave until you get permission from a professor for relevant research or turn fifteen.”

Anne-Marie is still arguing with the librarian as she’s being escorted out. “Perhaps if you would just let me borrow the book for a while–”

“I’m afraid I’ll also have to give you detention this time,” Sophronia interjects. “I can’t keep looking the other way simply because I owe your mother a favor. This is the third time this term!”

Anne-Marie huffs and folds her arms. “But my godfather–”

“Your godfather is a very busy man who would undoubtedly appreciate it if you spent more time staying out of trouble,” Sophronia finishes, “than trying to emulate your father. In fact, I think Ominis would agree with me that one Sebastian Sallow in this world is quite enough!”

Well, that certainly clears things up.

Sophoronia marches Anne-Marie up the stairs and out of the library. The three of you, having already forgotten your original mission, put your heads together without a word so Sebastian can drape the Time-Turner around your necks and return you to the present.

You collapse in a heap on the library floor, but this time it’s fully empty – even the librarian’s desk light is extinguished. You sit in silence for a few moments, and you and Sebastian don’t dare look at each other. Eventually you force yourself to stand and offer Ominis a hand up, steadfastly ignoring the other boy.

“So,” Ominis finally says, barely concealing his smile. “When exactly is it, do you suppose, that the two of you fall hopelessly in love with each other?”

You both curse at him at the same time, and Ominis throws back his head and laughs.

“Shout at me all you want, but that little girl is proof that the two of you are destined for each other,” he crows. “Oh, how brilliant!”

“Come now, Ominis,” Sebastian says with a nervous laugh. “You don’t seriously think that girl is, what… our child or something?”

“That’s precisely what I think,” Ominous answers, smirking. “You said it yourself, she looks exactly like her mother.”

“Stop!” you interject. “I’m not anyone’s mother, in case you forgot.”

“Perhaps not yet,” Ominis agrees primly. “I imagine it will be several more years before Sebastian makes you one.”

Sebastian goes deeply red while you sputter indignantly.

“Thats – that’s foul, Ominis,” you insist. “It’s untoward to even be talking about this!”

Sebastian folds his arms and raises an eyebrow. “Really? You’re that offended by the very idea of us having a child together? I’m hurt.”

“W-well, I just meant that we shouldn’t talk about things that haven’t yet come to pass,” you explain nervously. “Besides, all that is years away. Decades, even.”

Sebastian glances sidelong at you, and you wonder if you’re imagining the way he looks you up and down.

“Right,” he says slowly. “It’s not like we know anything for sure, obviously.”

“Of course,” you agree. “...I don’t suppose you have any other family members named Sebastian? Distant relatives, perhaps?”

“Why?” he drawls. “Looking to snag a cousin of mine so I won’t be the one to father your children?”

You shove him right into one of the bookshelves, but he laughs like he doesn’t regret it one bit.

“Now now,” Ominis murmurs. “You ought to be kind to your future husband, you don’t want to damage his virility.”

“I have half a mind to put a dent in Sebastian’s virility right here and now to save me some trouble later,” you reply, casually aiming your wand at his groin.

“Have you gone mad?!” he stammers as he takes several steps backward. “Put that thing away!”

“Oh, will you please relax?” you sigh. “We just saw one of your descendants, your ability to procreate is in no danger.”

“You could still put me in the Hospital Wing,” he sulks. “Besides, it’s not just procreation that I use it for.”

Ominis snorts. “Unfortunately, I am intimately aware of that.”

You make a face while Sebastian grins cheekily, offering no apology.

The three of you start to make your way toward the exit into Central Hall, ignoring the weak protests of the prefects stationed outside. As you make your way back toward the Slytherin common room, you all fall silent again, lost in your thoughts.

You aren’t sure how you’re supposed to forget what you saw, you think. In the future, you have a daughter. Her father is Sebastian Sallow, and… and she’s brilliant. Beautiful, courageous, more than a bit headstrong, and as determined as you both are if not more so.

You catch yourself actually grinning, and when you glance over at Sebastian, you see the same expression on his face.

“Anything you care to share?” you ask him.

“I know we probably shouldn’t talk about it,” he starts, “but there is one thing that girl said that I won’t soon forget.”

“What’s that?” you ask.

He’s quiet for a moment, and then he admits, “I heard her say she’s looking for a book for her aunt, and you haven’t got any sisters.”

You smile softly and reach for Sebastian’s hand. “No, I don’t.”

He lets you take his hand in his to give a reassuring squeeze.

“She’s still alive,” Sebastian says quietly. “She… she’s still sick, probably. But she’s still alive in the future. She meets my daughter, and she knows her.”

“She does,” you say. “And – and maybe we don’t quite know how that happens yet, but you can have a little faith, Sebastian. Things will work out the way they’re supposed to, and Anne will be with us for a long, long time. There’s still plenty of time to make things right again.”

He nods wordlessly but doesn’t drop your hand.

Just before you arrive at your common room, Ominis stops in his tracks.

“Hang on… Her name, Anne-Marie?” he asks you. “That sounds like something Sebastian would have picked. How generous of you.”

“Aww,” Sebastian laughs. “You must be so in love with me by then to let me pick the name.”

You grit your teeth and ignore them as you murmur the password to the giant stone snake guarding the door, hoping to get some well-earned rest and be rid of these boys for the night.

“Don’t worry, darling,” Sebastian says as he ducks around you and slips inside the door. “I’ll let you pick the name for the second one, and we can duel for rights to the third.”

You go running off after Sebastian and holler, “You bastard Sebastian Sallow, how many damn children are you expecting?!”

Ominis quickly pulls the door shut behind him and shakes his head.

“Godfather,” he mutters to himself. “I’ll never know peace, will I?”

---

[Get to know more of the Sallow kiddos in "the train ain't even left the station" ❤️]

[ravenelyx]

I need you. - Sebastian Sallow

Pairing: Sebastian Sallow x GN!Reader

Words: 1.1k

Chapter Warnings: tooth-rotting fluff, kissing, angst and comfort, Sebastian needs to be snuggled, Sebastian is also sad, and Sebastian needs love, neck kissing, cuddling and snuggling, Soft!Sebastian Supremacy, House or gender is not specified, (implied) established relationship, use of 2nd person for the reader

Summary: Sebastian has different ways of dealing with being hurt. One of them is burying his face in your chest while you cuddle him

A/N: IT'S SALLOW SUNDAY and since people seem to like my soft!seb heacanons, I wrote a whole fic instead <3 I woke up feeling snuggly, sooo...

Masterlist

you can find the whole fic on ao3 as well <3

Ominis' version

You didn't even hear his steps, yet when you saw a grimace creep up on Leander's face as he spoke to you, and strong arms wrap around your torso, you knew.

Sebastian left a soft kiss on the top of your head, looking at Leander with a small frown. You thought it must be one of those things only boys understood, because Leander sighed and nodded, without saying a word. Sebastian relaxed against you.

Pair of eyes looked between the two boys, as if expecting a fight to come out of it, but Leander just smiled in acknowledgement. "Sallow." Then his eyes met yours. "I'll see you in class. Don't forget your Leechjuice again."

You rolled your eyes. "It was one time."

Many people mistook it for possessiveness. You knew the real reason for it.

Leander walked away, waving you a goodbye, and Sebastian leaned his head against yours.

"Hi," you whispered with a small smile. He nuzzled your cheek, leaning his weight on your back.

While you never reproached him for showing his touchy side in public, you were starting to feel a little self-conscious of all the curious eyes piercing the two of you, so you turned around in his arms — albeit with great difficulty as his iron grip on you seemed unmovable — and cupped his cheeks.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

You swore you saw a few tears collect in his eyes as you spoke, so you walked him backwards to a more secluded bench. He sat down and immediately pulled you onto his lap.

After two years of dating, Sebastian had no more qualms about showing you his need for affection. You were there through it all: when Anne was cursed, when Sebastian desperately tried to find a cure, and even now, when he was diving into a dangerous path with his new friend. He had begun to rely on you, and on something only you could give him.

Security.

You threaded your fingers through his hair, affectionately scratching his scalp, and he let out a soft whine – a whine of pleasure, and a whine of something else. Something sad and guilty and that made him tighten his grip against you and bury his face in your chest.

"He has sent another letter!" he began, running his hands along your back and hips. You learned it was a way for him to reassure himself and calm down. "He told me the if I don't stop, he'll never let me see Anne again!"

Your face softened, hand now cupping the back of his head and pulling him closer. Usually, when Sebastian had a fight with Solomon, he'd retreat in the Undercroft, angry and incensed and ready to burn his own rage to the sound of very loud Confringo's. But there were times when his uncle's words got to him, made his heart sink with the need of a love that was stripped from him. A love he tried to silence by hugging his pillow tight at night when he was young. A love he found in you.

"He won't actually do it. Anne will always be your sister," you reassured him softly. "She'll want to see you, and he can't stop her from that."

He breathed heavily in your chest, pressed his palm under your thighs to pull you further in.

"She doesn't agree with what I'm doing…" He muffled his broken voice in your shirt.

"I know…"

"And she might stop loving me…" he said tearfully.

"She won't." You said earnestly. "She's your twin. In her heart, she knows she'd do the same for you."

He trembled a little, emotions threatening to explode.

"You don't trust Solomon," you began, stroking his hair, "but you can trust me. And you can trust Anne."

He stopped quivering, and you could almost feel the gears turn in his brain at your words. He began to kiss you through your shirt in gratitude.

You thought the position must have been uncomfortable to him, even if he didn't show it, so you slightly pushed his torso back, his face leaving your chest with a displeased frown, and leaned him on the seatback a little, then nestled in his arms, face nuzzling his neck. He sighed in relief as you cuddled against him.

"I know I'm too much sometimes…" he said in a small voice, hiding his face in your hair.

"You're not," you answered immediately. You could see his insecurities start to creep up on him, and you wouldn't have that.

"I annoy you."

"You don't," you protested, looking up at him in concern.

"I always come to you—"

"I'm glad you do."

"—and I'm always too needy."

"I don't see a problem with that."

You sighed and cupped his cheek again, drawing him down to press your mouth to his. It took a small touch for him to ignite, leaning his whole torso over you to deepen the kiss, desperately tugging at your lips. He pulled back with a grimace again when he noticed, and turned away, almost guilty.

"Don't refuse my affection," you whispered.

"I will consume you."

"I'm yours anyway."

He looked back at you, eyes fleeting over the gentle smile on your lips.

"Now come and kiss me a little more."

The battle in his mind seemed to settle immediately, and he lunged forward, placing one hand on the back of your head to keep you in place as his lips feasted on yours. His other arm circled your waist, holding you impossibly tight against him. And he was everywhere — his body caging yours, lips hungrily pulling and biting and bruising, hands desperately kneading your flesh, prising your shirt open to touch your bare skin. You felt dizzy at the force of his affection, and you knew he was right. He would consume you, like a wildfire, an eruption, a cataclysm about to blow your heart in a pulp of blood and passion as his tongue claimed yours. And you'd stop feeling like a person at his touch, so overcome by him you'd lose yourself. And then he'd settle it all right, kissing the blood off your lips with reverence, caressing your bruises gently, putting order into your feelings and reminding you once again that you would do anything for him.

"I need you," he breathed out, dipping his head in the crook of your neck. "Every day…"

You didn't stop him when he sucked a love bite into your skin.

"It's a good thing I feel the same," you chuckled.

"Even if you don't need me as much as I need you—"

"I need you more than you can imagine."

He looked up at you, and you kissed his lips again. This time he was gentle as well.

"Don't stop coming to me. Ever."

He nodded and kissed you again. And again. And again. And again, until Professor Weasley reproached the both of you for inappropriate behaviour and sent you to detention for a week.

And he'd kiss you there, too.

[leviackermanstoes]

Does anyone still read hogwarts legacy fics?😭😭😭 please I neeeeeeed to write one.

[ccelicaa]

their first meeting was in the bathroom

-----------------------------------------------------------

A moment I drew from my fic!! You can read it here!

---------------------------------------------------- and a little doodle I made that pretty much explains it.

[frost-queen]

A Sallow's mistake (Reader x Sebastian Sallow)

Requested by anon Forever tag:@missmelodramatic, @alex–awesome–22, @ellie-does-the-posts, @floatlosers, @merlieve , @queen-of-books , @glimmering-darling-dolly , @denkisclown , @wildieflower , @meyocoko , @justanothercoco, @subjecta13-thefangirl , @m-rae23 , @harleyquinnswifeyfrfr , @swampything07, @melsunshine , @panhoeofmanyfandoms , @venomsvl , @the-uncoordinated-house-cat , @rosecentury , @imagines-by-her, @evilcr0ne , @vviolynn , @niktwazny303 , @avada-kedavra-bitch-187 , @markive-m

Summary: Reader has a crush on Sebastian & shows her gratitude for his friendship by buying him gifts. Sebastian & you often flirt to the annoyance of your friends, who don't like him. Yet you defend him at every turn. One day you hear Sebastian say awful things about you (after being pressured by his friends). Lashing out to Sebastian, you start ignoring him. Till you no longer can, where he confessed the truth to you.

Candles floated high up the ceiling at the great hall. Students sitting gathered a several spots. Entering the great hall, your eyes fell immediately on Sebastian Sallow. He sat on top of the table, surrounded by some of his friends. With a smile on your face, you went over to him. Sebastian stopped his discussion with Imelda upon seeing you arrive. – “Did you get my owl Sebastian?” – you asked resting your hands on the table to lean in. – “Owl?” – Sebastian answered thoughtfully, furrowing his brows a bit.

You hummed loud. – “My owl carried a package to you.” – you explained more. – “The feather…” – you finished, hoping he had received it. Sebastian let out a deep ‘ah’ of realization. – “That was your owl.” – he said as you nodded. – “Actually it was Poppy’s owl as mine was delivering a message to my parents.” – you informed him. – “Now it makes sense.” – he chuckled out.

“I was already wondering who my admirer would be.” – he leaned a bit closer to you, smiling. – “It was just a feather. I noticed in class, you’d broke yours after quibbling with Garreth” – you responded bashful. – “Not my finest moment.” – Sebastian laughed out that you had seen that.

“He can buy his own feathers.” – Imelda spoke interrupting the little moment of yours. Sebastian and you tore your gaze away, looking both at Imelda. – ��I know that…” – Sebastian said smiling sheepishly. – “It is called being nice and considerate Imelda!” – you told her bitsy. Imelda started to laugh loud. – “Care to buy my school supplies as well?” – she mocked, crossing her arms. – “I’ll have a new broom Y/n.” – A Slytherin boy  called out.

Sebastian’s friends started to laugh loud, making you look at Sebastian with an embarrassed expression. Wondering what he would do. Sebastian swallowed nervously, clenching his hand as he hated seeing you upset. – “Alright enough!” – he called out, silencing his friends. – “Someone’s snappy.” – Imelda chuckled out.

Sebastian rolled his eyes at her. Sebastian got off the table, taking you by the arm as he led you away from them. – “That was really sweet of you.” – you told him. Sebastian was caught off guard for a moment, ruffling his hand through his hair. – “It’s quite alright Y/n.” – he responded.

“I’ll buy you some extra ink to go with that feather.” – you exclaimed happily. – “Y/n.” – Sebastian pulled you back before you could happily run off to do so. – “You… you do know you don’t have to buy me stuff.” – he reminded you. You curled up a smile, bouncing a bit on your feet. – “We’re friends. I don’t mind. See it as a friendship gift.” – you told him as his grip slipped off your sleeve.

“You can always praise me in other ways to show your gratitude.” – Sebastian leaned in closer to you, making you lean your head back as he was coming very close. A smirk on his face as it made you gulp bashful. His eyes drifting down to your lips, feeling his heart pound loudly for you. – “Y/n!” – your friends voices made him snap out of it. Your friends arrived, pulling you away from him by your arm.

“Leave her alone Sallow!” – one of your friends called out. Sebastian rolled his eyes at your friends, turning around to head back. You pulled hard so that their grip was off you. – “Can you just leave him alone!” – you told her, defending him. – “He wasn’t doing anything.”

Your friends rolled with their eyes. – “He has put a spell on you Y/n and you can’t even see it.” – one of your friends said, pushing you in the back to move forwards out of the great hall. – “More like a curse.” – another one of your friends pitched in. – “Stop it!” – you called out coming to a firm stop, making your friend bump against your back.

“You know nothing of him!” – annoyed you walked off, needing some air and be away from your friends. They were your best friends, but you didn’t like it that they were so against Sebastian.  On your way out, you encountered Garreth Weasley. – “Hello Y/n.” – he said, sliding an arm over you.

“Hello Garreth.” – you sighed out not really in a happy mood anymore. – “Who sucked the life out of you?” – he asked with a worried glance. – “Nothing.” – you told him as he guided you through the castle’s hallways. Garreth leaned a bit closer to you with his head to whisper. – “I know just the potion that can spark up your happiness.”

You gave him a hard stop in the side to stop being so ridiculous. – “Let me guess personally brewed?” – you laughed out. – “Yes, I’ve nearly narrowed it down if you would drink it, you’ll do me a great pleasure so I know if I did it right.” – he answered rubbing his side. – “Oh no Weasley.” – you laughed out, poking him in the chest. – “I’m not drinking any of your weird potions.” – clearing setting your boundaries.

“Oh come on Y/n.” – Garreth called out, taking your finger and swaying it around. – “For me?” – he put up the most precious look, trying to persuade you. You leaned a bit closer to him, smiling. – “No.” – you answered, smile dropping. Garreth groaned loud. – “You are no fun.” – he shouted at you as you walked off. – “Bye, bye Garreth!” – you waved over your head.

After history of magic, you were making your way over to defence against the dark arts class. Humming happily, you went up the spiral stairs. Going up and up till you reached the floor with the giant skeleton. You were walking behind it, suddenly stopping as you heard commotion. – “Be for real Sebastian.” – you heard Imelda’s voice cut through. Lowering yourself a bit, you tried to look between the bones of the skeleton to see what was happening.

You could see little as a little group of Slytherins were close to the wall. – “It’s a joke right?” – a boy called out as you caught a glimpse of Sebastian with his back against the wall. Sebastian kept receiving little shoves, pushing him more into the wall as you couldn’t understand much with everyone speaking over each other. – “Alright!” – Sebastian called out, seemingly panting out of breath.

“Of course I’m just sucking her dry. I mean if that fool keeps wasting her galleons on me, who am I to refuse such a generous offer. I’ve got her right under my thumb.” – Sebastian finished. Having moved a hand before your mouth, you couldn’t accept what you just heard.

The cruelty coming from him. Heartbroken, you tumbled down, sinking to your knees. Shaking your head as you didn’t want to cry over this boy. Clenching your hand, you wiped your tears aggressively away. Pushing yourself up, you weren’t going to let him get away with speaking so cruel about you. You appeared from behind the statue with a loud voice. – “Your uncle was right! You are a menace Sallow.” – you shouted rudely at him, not caring if it hurt him.

Sebastian’s eyes widened with a gasp upon seeing you. His friends gaping in shock at you. – “You are pathetic!” – you screamed out before running up to class. Sebastian looked shameful at the ground that you had heard that. Your words also cutting deeper into his heart than he dared to admit. Sebastian quietly went to class, seeing you stand near Leander.

Sebastian made an effort to approach you, but seeing you take Leander by his sleeve and showing your back to him, made clear to him you didn’t want to speak to him. Sebastian turned his head, gaze gliding the ground as he went to sit at the last bench. Ominis coming to sit beside him. – “What’s up with you?” – he asked, his wand flickering with a red spark. – “Nothing.” – Sebastian grunted out.

After class, you immediately left, leaving no room for Sebastian to come near. You didn’t want him near. Perhaps your friends were right about him. There were several attempts on his behalf, but you rejected them all before he could utter a word. Leaving him with nothing but guilt. This going on for 11 days now. For 11 days you had been ignoring Sebastian Sallow. Holding the invite in your hand, you so hoped Sebastian wouldn’t be there.

You loved going to crossed wands, but knew there was a chance he’d be there too. Opening the door, you arrived at the crossed wands spot. Lucan already waving you over. There were already a group of people. Leander amongst them. – “Are you ready for another round of crossed wands, Y/n?” – Lucan asked you excitedly. – “I suppose.” – you answered, looking around to be sure Sallow wasn’t around.

“I’ll let you have the first round.” – Lucan gestured at the open space as you took your place. – “Who wants to duel with Y/n?” – Lucan asked loud as Leander stepped forwards, holding his hand up. – “I’ll duel her!” – your eyes widened with gasp seeing Sebastian approach, lowering his hand. – “But I was going to duel her.” – Leander whined out. Sebastian shot him a glare.

“I’d rather duel Leander.” – you said, crossing your arms. – “Too bad sweetheart because you are duelling me today.” – Sebastian answered taking his stand. Groaning loud, you knew you had to duel him. Tightening your grip on your wand, you readied yourself. – “When you are ready.” – Lucan said to begin the duel. – “Feeling dried out now that your gifting fool isn’t spending her galleons on you anymore?” – you called out to taunt him.

“Y/n that wasn’t…” – Sebastian answered as you didn’t want to hear it. – “Stupify!” – you shouted, waving your wand at him. Sebastian casted protego as your spell vaporized. – “Will you just listen to me!” – he called out, waving his wand at you. You casted protego yourself, deflecting his spell. – “Why would I listen to someone so cruel as you!” – You responded angered, casting Levioso at him.

Sebastian got lifted up from the ground, legs dangling up in the air. – “I lied Y/n!” – Sebastian shouted trying to get himself back down. You laughed loud, not believing one bit of it. Sebastian dropped to the ground, landing firmly. – “They made me say all those awful things about you.” – he wanted you to know.

“You could’ve just told them no!” – you responded with tension in your expression. Sebastian casted a spell at you, making you roll over the ground to dodge it. – “I hate myself for giving in to it." - he confessed panting loud. You fired a basic spell at him as he used protego again. – “Can’t you see that I never meant it. Y/n what you heard were lies. I would never speak such cruelty over you.” – Sebastian let out.

“Enough!” – you shouted, waving your wand as another basic spell fired his way. – “I like you!” – Sebastian shouted loud, deflecting your spell. – “Expelliarmus!” – he called out making your wand fly out of your hand. In shock you stared at him. Sebastian panting loud. – “Now that was a duel.” – Lucan said, clapping loud. Sebastian got aware of the crowd. You lowered yourself to pick up your wand. Sebastian tugged his wand away, running over to you.

“Please Y/n, know that I regret saying it. I never meant it… please… I just want you back…” – he spoke touching your arm. Still feeling  a bit hurt, you did felt some sympathy for him. – “I… I forgive you.” – you told him, turning away to leave. – “Sebastian another round?” – Lucan offered as Sebastian held his hand up to him, telling him to stay back before running after you.

“Y/n! Y/n!” – Sebastian panted out catching up with you. You came to a stop, with a soft sigh. – “I’m giving you another chance Sebastian.” – you let him know. Sebastian curled up a smile. – “Thank you.” – he said leaving a quick kiss on your cheek. Happily he took off, making you chuckle softly. It took Sebastian about another week before asking you out for butterbeer in Hogsmeade. After that the two of you just started to love each other.

----------------------------------------

Read more of my fics on my Masterlists!

[legacygirlingreen]

That time of year again… // Sebastian Sallow x Reader/MC (NSFW)

Hi friends! I have been battling the flu for a week now so there’s a delay on strumming hearts pt 2 but I managed to scrap this together for those who celebrate Christmas! Also hella unedited so RIP.. anyways, Hope your day has been fantastic!

Screenshots in art by: @sinty2ek - seriously check out their page, it’s great if you aren’t already following 💚

Warning: smut (duh), Sebastian gets dom for a moment but overall is worried about her, loss of virginity, consent is hot, size difference, etc

Word count: 7,700

All characters are aged up and MINORS DO NOT INTERACT!

The first December after the events in Feldcroft, he had come down with a bout of dragon pox that landed him in the hospital wing for weeks. The second his finals had come to an end he wound up in a bed, with nurse Blainey rushing around him, and he didn’t realize what exactly was happening until the first of the year when he was released. In a way, he’d been thankful, that not really being conscious or alert through the worst part of the year.

That vile illness saved him from going to an empty home with too many bad memories to sulk and more than likely drink his uncle's firewhiskey. He had “come too” so to speak the morning of his birthday - New Year’s Eve or Hogmanay for the Scots - but in his house it had always been about celebrating himself and Anne. Knowing he’d be unable to grieve the loss of his sister from his life with nurse Blainey in the room he laid in the hospital bed trying by any means to distract himself.

She had come around several times seeing he was much better but still not quite healthy to be released. As his energy grew so had his restlessness. He was so grateful when his friend, the only one he had anymore, had so sweetly continued to try and attempt to see him. He had heard snippets throughout his stay from the nurse about how the girl had frequently attempted to come see him, and she’d caught the girl trying to sneak in a few times, firmly reassuring the hero of Hogwarts that dragon pox was no laughing matter.

It warmed his heart when he was finally awake at how the pile of books slowly started to accumulate, giving him a much needed distraction. She even slipped in a title to the stack he knew she must’ve stolen from the restricted section, and the thought of her puttering around amongst the ghost to get him comfort while sick, made him smile.

And on his birthday in the morning when he awoke he saw a small slice of cake alongside a neatly wrapped gift and a small note containing his name. Blainey had informed him how desperately the girl had begged to stay on the far side of the hospital just to see him and how upset she’d been handing off the gift and pastry before sulking back downstairs.

As sweet as it all was, he was somewhat grateful to the nurse for keeping the girl away. Not only would he never be able to live with himself should he be the reason she contracted the often fatal illness, but he honestly didn’t want to be seen like that.

He’d been quite honest with himself over that first summer holiday on his feelings for the girl. He had come to terms with the awful ways in which he’d treated her and decided her miracle of not turning him in and standing by him should never go wasted. In those hot months in feldcroft he decided that he’d never hurt her again. And perhaps one day he’d tell her how he felt.

Because as the first July without Anne and Solomon raged on as he tended the garden, all he continued to think of was her shimmering eyes dreamily staring up at his own in amazement as he showed her the undercroft. Or how silky her hair had shown in the moonlight that night they raided the goblin mine. How small she felt pressed against him when he’d pulled her to safety from that spider. How brilliant her smile was when they discovered the first of Isadora’s memories. Or how she held him so tightly the night before they left hogwarts in May when she’d found him crying in the undercroft…

But that former Yule where he laid in a hospital bed, covered in sweat, scabs and looking like death itself, he was almost more thankful that the nurse had prevented the girl of his dreams from seeing his current state. Sebastian had always been a bit cocky. And he knew that he had some baseline qualities to which made him attractive, despite the ones he tended to dislike. He often hoped his messy hair would be considered more charming in her eyes. Or she’d notice that he’d started shaving by purposefully leaving it a few days sometimes so she’d have to notice the dark hair adorning his chin. He found the few of his features he could be proud of and he was thankful that she’d not seen him sick when she’d left that sweet gift.

The girl had dropped off a blank, leather bound journal, simply explaining in her note how proud she’d been of him for not messing with dark magic and that she hoped he’d use the journal to vent his feelings, frustrations, discoveries and anything else as he continued to turn over a new leaf. It had been sweet and something he’d never done before but if he was honest in the last year he’d nearly filled the damn thing after he taped in her note to the first page.

That remaining school year and the start of the current left him following around her like a lost crup puppy. Although feeling a bit self conscious earlier on about his newly acquired dragon pox scars adorning his body and the few on his face, he quickly resolved the issue when she come to him with a potion to cure it that she promised she had done the heavy lifting with garreth on. It overall did the charm and returned his face and skin to its original state.

Anywhere she needed to go after that, he was there. She needed someone to hold books? Sebastian had two hands. She needed an escort through the forbidden forest to find a lost niffler? He was carrying the small creature back for her. She wanted company even on a night he was exhausted? He’d brave the lack of sleep and stay up with her.

At some point during the year she had come to him and confessed she hadn’t been sleeping well, professor Weasley and her head of house recommending she relocate to her room of requirement instead of a dorm so she wouldn’t disturb her roommates with the nightmares.

So every once in a while when he too was struggling to fall asleep he’d find a note slipping under his dormitory door and he’d be slipping off to the tapestry in the hall to make sure she was okay.

Deek had found them most mornings still awake by the fire just chatting and decided perhaps Matilda didn’t need to know everything. Not even on the rare mornings he found Mr Sallow’s arms wrapped around his dear friend as they both slept soundly in her conjured bed. As far as Deek was concerned both children desperately needed whatever sleep they got, and the hero of Hogwarts only seemed to sleep in the arms of that Slytherin boy with the brown eyes that never left her.

As they found themselves in their seventh year, Ominis eventually trickled back into their lives. Having seen the changes made by Sebastian, and the reassurance from the girl he truly had given up after the damage he brought, Ominis decided that his found family was still better than his birth family. Despite that, he still had obligations at Yule until he was of age, leaving the pair behind as he boarded the train in Hogsmeade in December.

Sebastian wasn’t looking forward to Christmas this year. Not that he truly had for a while - Yule always brought forth the nasty reminder of those who were missing - a number that was increasing for him by the years. But this was going to be the first he was actually conscious for after his sister left. Given the previous dragon pox year he wasn’t sure what was going to happen this year.

Almost as if sensing his nervousness going into the holidays she approached him during dinner the last day of their examinations as she sat down gently and leaned a hand over to place on his arm, startling him out of his deep thoughts while he stared at his mashed potatoes.

Hey Bash, are you alright?

He looked up with a small jump as he saw her brow furrowed and her gaze laced with concern. Her sweet voice caused that ever present stirring to arise in his stomach as he sighed and turned towards her, making her drop her hand from his bicep in the process.

“I suppose” he said after a moment looking down and seeing where her thigh was almost pressed against his own and where she had laced her hands together in her lap after she let go of him.

After a beat of silence she spoke again.

“You’re feeling sad about the holidays this year aren’t you?” She asked and he almost let out a small yelp at how wonderfully she was able to capture exactly what he’d been thinking without him even having to explain himself.

Looking back at her empathetic expression he nodded. Of course she was understanding. She had always been nothing but caring since the day he’d met her.

Sighing, she averted her gaze and grabbed one of his forgotten peeled orange slices off his plate and popped it into her mouth, slowly allowing the fruits somewhat bitter-sweetness to coat her tongue before she swallowed and looked back at him.

“This is the time of year I feel the most alone” she admitted as she looked back up at him from her seat on the Slytherin bench.

Sebastian recalled the times she had mentioned growing up in a muggle orphanage in London. How abysmally poor and mismanaged it was run. How professor Fig had come, lying that he was a long lost relative to the nuns before “bringing her home” as he explained to the young witch that she had accidentally wound up at a muggle orphanage instead of a magic one when her parents were discovered dead by non magical policemen when she was an infant.

Spending her first Christmas at Hogwarts when Professor Fig was still alive had been wonderful. she’d been allowed to travel to visit him and Ominis and Anne during the last Christmas he’d had at feldcroft with the professor just during the day. Sebastian also remembered fondly how happy she looked celebrating Yule with them before she returned to hogwarts for the rest of the holiday: not before giving him a quick kiss to the cheek and scurrying off behind the late man. It had been Sebastian’s first decent Christmas since his parents died.

Now the pair sat in the great hall carrying the weight of loss and loneliness as they went uncertainty into the holiday season.

“I don’t want to go back to Feldcroft alone this year” he admitted bluntly as he continued to peel the orange, handing her a slice as he ate another. As they silently ate the fruit he kept thinking about how he felt conflicted in returning. A part of him hoped Anne would show up again but he knew deep down it was unlikely.

“What if… what if you didn’t go back to Feldcroft? What if you stayed here… with me?” She asked quietly without looking up at him.

Sebastian had wondered if he should stay at the school given he had no family to return to, but he worried she see him as imposing as hogwarts truly was the only home she had.

“You want me to stay?” He asked, unsure if she meant it but hopeful she did want him there.

“Of course I would. I always want you around. I think it’s silly for us both to be alone during Christmas if we have each other we could be keeping company.” she explained as she finally looked again.

“What about our dorm rooms-“ he asked as she shook her head with a small amount of blushing working its way to her face.

“We can stay in the room of requirement. Professor Weasley was returning home this year so she won’t be checking in and last anyone heard you were going to feldcroft. Only one who would know is Deek and he would never tell a soul. That is, if you are interested…” she explained to him.

He almost stuttered in his reply, taking in that the girl was willingly offering him to stay with her for an extended period of time alone and unsupervised. Sure he occasionally fell asleep there when she invited him but never for multiple nights in a row and with the intention directly.

“You want me to stay with you alone?” He asked and she gently nodded.

“I would. We can conjure a tree and decorate it together in the main room. Take care of the beasts in the vivariums and sneak down the library to get books to read… it could be fun” she reasoned and he nodded.

“Alright. I think I would really like that. Only if you’re sure you are alright with it. I can also sleep on the settee in the main room-“ he offered and she shook her head, opening her mouth to speak before pausing and looking down.

“You can if you prefer that, but I -“ she trailed off as she looked at his wild expression before continuing as she tucked one of those stray hairs so often around her face behind her ear as she admitted, “I do sleep better when you are around… the nightmares don’t usually happen when you are with me…” she told him.

He knew the feeling. In fact he knew it so well that the only peaceful sleep he often found was in her room when they fell asleep after hours of talking together. He never knew how but eventually once he would calm her down and they’d talk, he would wake up the next morning with her nestled against his body as if during the night they had reached over to hold one another.

“I-“ he paused, raking his own hands in his hair as he also admitted, “me too. I think the only real sleep I’ve gotten all year has been in the room of requirement”

“So you’ll stay? With me?” She asked and he nodded.

“I’d love to”

————————

The next morning he’d slipped out of his nearly empty Slytherin dorm room with a small bag over his shoulder of the stuff he usually brought home. Some clothes that weren’t his school uniforms, a few books, a quill and some ink, some snacks, the few toiletries he had and the journal she’d given him the previous year. As he snuck down the empty halls he came across the door to the room or requirement, now revealing itself to him with no problem, before he pushed inside.

Once there he could see the always lit fire in the main room, the vivariums grand entrances, along with all her potting and potions stations. Something about the place always felt so inherently homie and incredibly authentic to her.

“Uh…” he looked around seeing the absence of the witch who had invited him, knowing it was really early in the morning and she possibly could still be asleep, but usually she rose earlier. As he went to check the small bedroom that had appeared a few months prior, the door opened behind him and she shuffled in carrying a small basket.

“Oh, you’re already here. I snuck down to the kitchen for some breakfast and I was going to pop by the dungeons later-“ she started to ramble as he looked at her clothes.

Most of the time she wore her uniform, as most students did, but when she wasn’t in her robes she usually looked a tad mismatched. Often finding random articles of clothing with protection charms while exploring, she wore a tacky blend of them. The girl also usually opted for trousers not skirts or dresses as exploring was easier when you weren’t “worried about the wind blowing up or fabric getting caught” by her own words.

Instead she stood before him in possibly the first time he’d ever seen her without trousers or one of those hideous wool skirts all the students wore. She had a white blouse with an emerald green dress overtop that had only a few white embellishments along the skirt. It wasn’t the most elegant of dresses but it certainly was beautiful, especially since he rarely saw her like this.

He set his bag down and walked towards her, and upon further inspection she also had her hair tied back - not an uncommon sight - but she’d left most of it down, only pulling the front strands out of her way as she tied it back with a bow.

Very different from how he usually saw her.

Upon realizing he had been staring she felt self conscious, asking him “how do I look?” As she awkwardly stroked the material of her skirt down with her free hand.

“You look beautiful” he said without a second thought before he looked at her face, something he’d done so often but as her eyes softened he realized he shouldn’t affirm she looked this way only because of the clothes or change to her hair.

“You are beautiful” he spoke when he found himself planted in front of her, boldly admiring her face and not the wardrobe.

She noticed his correction along with the implications it carried as she fell under the wonderful scrutiny of his gaze. As she did so, she turned to take in his appearance with his lack of the Slytherin robes, swamping them for a simple shirt and vest as he stood in front of her. Usually disguised by school cloaks she could see how wide his shoulders had gotten, along with the exposed skin of his forearms from where he’d rolled his sleeves up. The skin that usually laid covered, now proudly displaying the freckled skin below the light dusting of dark hair, as well as his veins that went into his hand.

“You okay?” She heard his voice ask gently as she looked up from his hands to his face once more.

“Sorry, yeah, I mean thank you-“ she told him as she moved past him and walked down the stairs of the main room into the back area. Sebastian didn’t question as he followed her down into the deeper parts of the room.

Once they emerged in the area he noticed there was a large tree in the middle of the room with some pillow cushions on the floor in front of the fireplace. He realized she must’ve been awake a while to have conjured a tree and made the cozy nest where they likely would read together during the day.

“You’ve been busy” he teased as she walked them over to the fireplace and lifted her skirt ever so slightly so she could settle herself on the ground comfortably.

“I just wanted you to feel as at homey as possible” she explained as he sat down next to her, his long legs stretching out in front of them. Looking between their bodies he noticed her hand sat atop one of the cushions on the floor and he carefully plucked it from the space between them.

As he ran his fingers over the delicate and soft skin of her hand he tried to ignore the way his cheeks flamed at his bold action.

“I really appreciate the effort but you don’t have to play host you know? I am just happy to spend time with you” he explained as he looked at her, giving a reassuring squeeze to her hand to truly affirm his words.

She didn’t respond as she stared at the way he continued to clutch her much smaller hand. He worried she would seem disappointed by his request to remain as laid back as possible so he in turn shifted the conversation.

“You said you grabbed breakfast?” He asked and she pulled her hand back to grab the basket, opening it up with a smile to show the goodies she had brought. As she continued to go through the options he couldn’t shake the way her hand in his own had felt like the most incredibly natural act in the world.

———————

After a day of reading, exploring the room, decorating the tree together, and just talking he was on cloud nine. Everything had felt so comfortable, so natural, as they fell into a rhythm alongside one another.

That was, until it was time for bed.

Once again he insisted if she preferred him to sleep on the sofa he would more than happily oblige, understanding that sleeping in the same bed carried heavy implications. She swiftly reminded him that they had indeed fallen asleep in the very bed in her room of requirement before. But for Sebastian, those moments had never been intentional, and to do so from the jump felt like a much deeper step.

To go to bed willingly alongside one another felt like the kind of thing reserved for married couples, certainly not friends of the opposing genders. And especially not a friend he often dreamed about kissing… as well as other more intense and vulgar things…

Regardless, her sweet smile and bright big eyes told him it was okay in her book, and who was he to question that. So as she slipped off into the small bathroom area to change for bed he stripped himself of his clothes and quickly threw on his own night clothes, tossing his dirty ones in his bag just as she returned.

Sebastian hadn’t recalled ever seeing the nightgown she wore. Usually she had something much thicker and denser but this one seemed… thin.

It was suddenly as if Sebastian’s mouth had lost all its moisture and he couldn’t help but stare as the silk she wore seemed to hug areas he usually wasn’t granted access to see.

Since when had her breasts been this full? Has she always had such an intense dip in her waist?

“Sebastian?” She asked him in mild concern as he stared distantly, his mind very much elsewhere as she came closer to where he stood slack jawed. When she found herself in front of him, he looked at her like a wild animal that had been caught by a hunter.

“I…” he trailed off as he took one more, very obvious, look down at her barely clothed breast. The view from up close confirmed his suspicions that she had forgone any form of camisole as the brief outline of her nipple shown through the silk.

“What’s wrong?” She asked gently, not fully comprehending his reaction.

“I… I think I may need to sleep out there” he said shyly as he pointed to the main area, his voice much more painned than he intended it to sound. At his explanation her heart fell as she couldn’t comprehend his reasoning.

“But why? Did I do something to upset you?”

“What?” He asked her as he looked at her hair which he realized was now completely down, something he’d never been privy to see before. It made him want to reach out and touch the long strands and see if they were just as silky as he imagined.

Quickly snapping his eyes back to her suddenly saddened expression he firmly said “You’ve done nothing wrong”. This further plagued the girl as she couldn’t place why exactly he was acting in this manor.

“I don’t understand. I thought you said you slept better when we were here together… Don’t you want to share the bed?” Her hurt expression cut through him as he realized she was still not understanding that his resistance was not due to anything about her personally… more or less it was about his lack of control in regards to his wandering hands should they lay in the same bed all night.

“Come here,” Sebastian explained as he sat on the edge of the bed, grabbing her palm and pulling her to do the same. She simply sat next to him as he turned to face her, his knee slightly framing her hips and he did his best to try and ignore how close they really were.

I don’t trust myself.

If she hadn’t watched him say it she wouldn’t have believed he muttered the words.

“What do you mean-“ she asked and Sebastian almost grew frustrated with the girl for her lack of awareness at how much of a beauty she was, along with the fact he was so irrevocably in love with her it pained him.

“I mean you are too bloody gorgeous like this that I don’t trust myself to behave like a gentleman” he let out with a frustrated sigh. He knew he shouldn’t get so worked up, especially not to show frustration at her, but the throbbing starting in his lower region was making it hard to fully concentrate on his emotions.

All he heard was her gasp, fearing she’d seen the arousal in his night trousers but when he looked up, all Sebastian saw was the girl cautiously clutching her hair trying to make sense of his words.

Closing his eyes, he ran his hand over his face. Why was he such an idiot? She probably thought him some sort of delinquent. She probably hated him. She-

She had turned her body to face him and placed a hand on his shoulder when he opened his eyes.

“Bash” her timid tone called out and all he could muster upon having her so close was an eyebrow raise to acknowledge he heard her speak.

What if I don’t want you to behave like a gentleman?

Sebastian wasn’t sure he heard her correctly or if he was about to wake up from another one of those wet deans where he stained his sheets dreaming about being buried inside her.

“You don’t know what you’re asking for” he reasoned, knowing how innocent in many regards she seemed. It wouldn’t surprise him if no one had explained the marital act to her at all.

Instead of replying she simply inched closer until she was directly in front of him. Sebastian anticipated her to stop but when she cautiously climbed on his lap his breathing stopped. He kept his hand firmly planted at his sides as she settled herself atop him, her hands resting on his shoulders for support.

“I do know what you’re referring to,” she said bluntly and her boldness made him question just how much he might know of her. Behind those innocent gazes perhaps she’d been a temptress this whole time and he was just to blind by his affections to notice.

He hadn’t realized she had lifted one of his hands until he saw her concentrated expression examining his right hand up close. She studied the calloused skin of his palm before placing his open hand along her waist. Suddenly he felt the warmth of her skin through the silk nightgown along with the beautiful dip of her curves that laid underneath.

“I thought, but you-“ he couldn’t think of an intelligent response as she looked at his face. This led to the both of them staring at one another in silence as he kept his hand firmly planted where she’d left it.

Leaning forward she placed her fingers lightly on his chin, noting the stubble growing from his face as she traced over it. He’d shaved it in the morning but she always enjoyed seeing the small, dark hairs when he stayed with her after nightmares.

“If I ask you to kiss me, are you going to run away Sebastian?” She asked him while continuing to trace her fingertips over his face in the areas his facial hair had started to grow.

Sebastian didn’t reply as his hand finally tightened and curved over her waist. Lifting the other, he placed it on her cheek gently as he let his eyes move to her own.

“Are you sure? If I’m honest I don’t think I can ever let things go back to normal if we do that” he admitted to her with a sigh.

Of course he wanted her. Wanted to be with her. Wanted to kiss her. Wanted to lay with her. But if this was just some Christmas Eve fun that never would go anywhere he couldn’t stomach it.

Instead of replying she simply leaned forward into his hand, smiling to herself as she felt the warmth of his palm against her skin. Sebastian took a shaky inhale at realizing she was signaling he could go ahead while she looked at him through her heavy lidded lashes.

Exhaling gently he leaned forward just enough to ever so softly press his lips to hers.

He could hear the way she inhaled sharply through her nose before he felt the slight pressure of her returning the kiss. It was cautious. Unsure. But still she continued to press on physically and metaphorically.

Sebastian let out a groan as he felt one of her hands tighten in his dark hair, her fingers weaving in and out of the locks along his sensitive nape. In response he pulled her closer to him by the hands firmly planted on her waist and cheek.

Feeling herself more tightly wrapped in his embrace she gained more confidence in the movements, shifting on his lap ever so slightly and letting out a gasp and breaking the kiss when she felt that beautiful ache between her legs at pressing upon his hard thigh.

She had touched herself before, sometimes rutting into a pillow to find relief, but to use the boys thigh in seeking that feeling once more she felt electrified.

Sebastian couldn’t help but feel the full extent of the throbbing in his pants, when he realized she was humping his thigh to get off. The girl he assumed knew little, quickly proving him wrong as her gasps and sighs carved into his neck.

“Hey..” he told her, moving his hand down to her hip to still her movement for a brief moment as she removed her blush covered face from the privacy of his neck.

“I need some guidance on where exactly this is headed” he asked her.

“You’ve always rushed unto everything with no plan before. Why do you need one now?” She retorted one more trying to find the friction she desired on his lap.

Sebastian let out a soft groan as her center moved over his erection and he paused as he considered her words.

“That’s different… I don’t want to be disrespectful or hurt you. I have read that sometimes intercourse can be painful for the woman and I would never want to cause you harm” he explained and she rolled her eyes, catching him off guard with her frustration.

“I’m not made of glass Seb” she told him before aggressively beginning to kiss the side of his neck. Teeth nipping, lips sucking and tongue soothing the skin as she once again resumed rutting her hips.

“But-“

“Oh Merlin, would you just let me do it” she said frustratingly as she pushed his shoulders back until he fell on the bed, as she crawled over top of his shocked form.

Sebastian barely had a chance to get a word in before she was unbuttoning his sleep shirt. He didn’t say anything as he helped her slip it down his arms upon undoing the buttons.

“Do you want me?” She asked him curtly as she looked down at his half naked form with a surprised gaze.

“I - of course “ he told her.

“Then act like it, Sallow.” She told him and suddenly like a fuse had been lit, Sebastian flipped the girl onto her back and started kissing her shoulders and collarbones with vigor. He hadn’t even realized that as he flipped her over he had pulled her nightgown down significantly but he brushed it aside as he kissed her body.

She grew warm at how suddenly the reservations left him body and he responded so well to her noises and gasps. Sebastian seemed to so easily locate all those spots that made her feel weak as he kept kissing her body.

Soon he was reaching for the ties holding up her nightclothes and she leaned up to help him remove it. As her fingers moved to undo the latches he grumpily pushed her hand aside to do it himself.

“Been wanting to unwrap you like a gift for so long now. I want to do it on my own,” he gritted out against the shell of her ear before removing the top of her dress, pulling it up and over her body and tossing it onto the floor.

As she shivered from the draft in the room, Sebastian looked down and realized she wasn’t wearing anything underneath. He assumed that even though she lacked a camisole she at the very least would have breeches, but no. She was fully naked as she lay underneath him.

“You sneaky little witch planned this didn’t you” he gritted out as he leaned down to take one of her pert little nipples in his mouth, groaning at the sweet taste of her skin along his tongue.

“I had hoped it could be a possibility…” she said through a whine as he flicked her now erect nipple with his tongue before moving to the other one.

When he successfully gave it the same attention he release it with a pop as he looked back up at her face hungrily.

“So that innocent routine was just an act?” He asked her as he moved back up her body and leaned his weight down on her. She could finally feel his arousal through his pajama pants and she shivered as he used his free hand to trace down her torso.

“Tell me what you hoped for… did you hope I would kiss you…” he trailed off kissing her now severely flushed skin before pulling back to look up at her through his thick lashes as he kept teasing. “Did you hope I would… touch you here?” Sebastian asked as he ran his fingertips ever so gently over the skin of her chest.

His index finger moved down painfully slow until it was right at the base of her opening and he looked into her eyes intently as he breached her walls with his finger, smiling as he asked “did you hope I would enter you here?”

Sebastian only brought his finger back out slowly as she whimpered at the loss of the stretch that she’d felt around his knuckles and upon hearing the noise he shoved it back in again causing her eyes to go wide as she clung to the quilt.

Shoving another finger alongside it, he continued to work her open so she’d be able to take him with ease. Curling his fingers and scissoring them within her, he took his time appreciating every noise she made and every pull her body made on his appendages.

He wasn’t done teasing the girl yet because just when she was nearing an orgasm he pulled his hand away to look at her exasperated expression with a grin as he shoved the soaked digits into his mouth and licked them clean.

“Well?” He asked her and she remembered vaguely he had asked her what she had hoped for.

“I wanted you to… be inside of me…” she admitted somewhat ashamed and he chuckled at her relapse into innocence.

“My fingers?” He eased as he brought them close to her opening once more before changing his mind and grabbing her hand from where it was still clutching the quilt and bringing it over his arousal before asking “or my cock?”

“Your… cock…” she said as if she was out of breath and he smiled down at her, suddenly breaking the trance he’d been in and softly stroking her messy hair away from her face as he laid down next to her.

“You sweet, darling girl” he cooed as he pulled her into his frame. “You may have whatever you desire” he told her before leaning up to passionately but delicately kiss her once more.

She carefully reached for the tie on his sleep pants as she undid the knot and pushed them off his hips. Sebastian reached down to loosen his breeches and pushed them off his body to assist her before maneuvering his way between her open knees, laying over her.

“I’m sorry if I got carried away…” he admitted, realizing that his brash actions may not have been what she wanted.

“Don’t be. I found it to be… quite stirring” she admitted and he laughed at her choice words. Caressing her cheek he leaned down to kiss the skin between her eyebrows before pulling back.

“We do this at your pace. Promise you’ll let me know if it stings” he asked her and she nodded, brushing off the concerns as she reached for his cock, only to have him palm his manhood with a slight groan as he shook his head.

“I mean it. I don’t want to hurt you.” He told her sternly and she looked up at his concern laced brow.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine-“ she said as she finally unwrapped his hand from his manhood, finally getting to feel the full size of him as she looked down in shock.

Sebastian was much larger than she imagined. Not that she’d ever seen one in real life before but, even from anatomical drawings she’d seen and the girlish whispers she realized he was much more endowed than she assumed.

“Oh…” she said as she looked down, losing her nerve as she saw the way his cock looked massive between their bodies and the way it pulsed under her scrutiny.

“We don’t have to do it if you are nervous” he told her as she tore her gaze from his manhood back to his face.

“I want to” she said firmly and he looked at her for any signs she was lying or feeling pressured.

“You’re sure?” He asked her gently, his thumb tracing over the skin of her chin as he held her face carefully.

“Just… go slow…” she told him, parting her legs further and reaching down to assist him.

Sebastian grunted as he felt her lining his head up with her opening and once he could feel they were properly aligned he let go of her chin to reach for her hand, holding it in his own as he encouraged her to look up.

“Look at me, don’t worry about what is going on down there alright? Just look into my eyes…” he offered and she nodded, pulling her gaze directly into his own as he ever so slightly pushed his hips forward.

Everything went okay for a few moments until her breath hitched and he paused, not tearing his eyes from hers as he stopped pressing in. When she looked as if she adjusted, he continued until the entirety of his head was inside of her, pausing once more.

He couldn’t help but sigh as he sunk into her, enjoying the warmth of her body around him as he parted her. Every so often he’d stop and ask if she was okay to keep going and she never told him it hurt but he could definitely see the discomfort at the new and what he imagined, intrusive, feeling.

However for him… it was like coming home, to a place he’d never known was so wonderful. Her body eventually opened up and accepted all of him and he found his mound of dark curls pressed against her own, slightly more manicured patch of hair atop her womanhood.

He could feel the press of her hip bones on his as he laid there, waiting for her to adjust to the fullness of his length within her body. Sebastian almost felt amazed at where it all had gone, as she was so small in comparison to him and he knew his cock well exceeded his classmates from their time sharing dorms and bathrooms.

“Do you think you’re ready for me to move?” He asked her with the softest tone he could muster despite feeling like he was going to burst free at any second.

“You’ll be gentle?” She asked timidly and he almost removed himself entirely at the tone she asked him with.

“I promise. I don’t want you to be in pain. Does it hurt now?” He asked her, not wanting to know the answer but needing to have it regardless.

“It’s moreso just… pressure? Maybe moving will help” she offered as an explanation and he nodded, ever so carefully pulling his hips back before slowly sliding back inside once more at a snail like pace.

Eventually his movements became more comfortable, confident, and controlled - as well as slightly faster.

At first her face scrunched up as she closed her eyes but after a moment she seemed to relax her eyebrows as her mouth fell open. Sebastian watched her reactions intently as she gave herself over to him.

Somehow he moved to an angle causing a pleasured noise to spill from her lips and he felt himself twitch knowing that she was slowly starting to feel good.

“Hey, I like seeing those pretty eyes Love” he said gently as he nudged her nose with his own, causing her to open them once more and blush up at him as he continued to press within her.

“There you are… so incredibly beautiful. You are an angel…” he whispered as he picked up the pace but kept his tone soft.

His words and his moments caused her to feel a stirring in her stomach that was similar to when she rode highwing and she would dive low.

“Sebastian…” She sighed his name as a mantra while she reached up to hold his cheek in her hand, the other curled around into his hair.

“My gorgeous witch… so lovely inside and out…” he continued to praise her as her eyes grew glassy at his sweet words and without thinking a tear rolled out of the corner of her eye, his thumb moving to catch it the second he spotted it.

“Did I hurt you-“ he quickly asked but she stopped him by leaning up to kiss him, her hips rising to meet his shallow moments as he groaned.

Pulling away she continued to hold him close as she whispered

I love you Sebastian Sallow…

Hearing her call his name like that, and saying she loved him, caused him to stutter in his movements and his cock begin to angrily throb looking for that final push of release.

He moved his hips much faster against hers as he leaned down and groaned out, “I - love you too… so much… uhhh fuck… need to… finish… where” he struggled to choke out as he kept his momentum while driving into her.

Realizing she was likely much further behind he had the foresight to lean his hand down and start playing with her nub, causing her back to raise sharply as she whimpered and clawed at his back.

“Need to pull, out-“ he grunted and she shook her head violently beneath him.

“No. Please. Don’t -“ she said through a loud sob, her body beginning to clench around him as she looked up at him fiercely saying “please finish inside…” she begged.

He didn’t need to ask twice after she gave him permission. Pushing harshly on her clit, she came with a scream and with that, her body pulled his cock so tightly that he followed.

As her body milked him for every drop he had he couldn’t help but feel the strong sense of pride running through his mind as he flooded her with his seed. He looked down watching her wide eyed expression as he continued to pump his load deep within her body, only slowing once he ran out of stamina before he collapsed on top of her.

Sebastian was spent as he laid on top of her chest, his face pressed against her sweaty skin and he slowly began trailing butterfly kisses across her neck at the same moment he felt her brushing his hair off his forehead to do the same.

Suddenly he heard the clock chime loudly in the main room, signaling midnight and he removed himself from the crook of her neck as he softened within her, his spill slipping out of her and between their thighs. It felt so overwhelmingly perfect and then he realized something.

“Happy Christmas” he whispered as he tucked her hair behind her ear and she looked up at him slowly realizing that he was indeed correct and they had made love on Christmas Eve through the official start of the day itself.

“Happy Christmas Sebastian…” she said, her voice slightly hoarse from the screech she’d let out and he leaned down to kiss her once more before pulling her body into his, neglecting the mess between them.

“Well, I for one think this Christmas is already off to the best start imaginable” he admitted before pecking her forehead and he smiled when she laughed, the chuckle causing both their bodies to shake.

“Of course you’d say that”

“What? I’ve got the girl I love in my arms. What more can a man want?” He asked her and he looked down just in time to see her face turn up to meet his.

“You love me?” She asked softly and suddenly it was his turn to chuckle.

“I think that what we just did goes to show that but yes, I do love you. Terribly so.” He admitted as he brought her closer into his arms.

“I love you too” she told him as he smiled, his eyes starting to grow heavy.

“I heard you the first time… although if you feel so inclined to repeat it, I can guarantee that’s not the sort of thing one grows tired of hearing” he told her as he drifted off to sleep holding her in his arms thinking about how much more pleasurable this was than going to sleep with dragon pox on Christmas.

THE END

[myokk]

note-taking

pairing: Sebastian Sallow x f!MC

word count: 3,6k

summary: mc loves flustering sebastian with her notes during class😇

cw: NONE this is just fluff, mutual pining, idiots in love, it takes a while for them to admit their feelings, I rated it M for some language/sexual themes

a/n: I laughed a lot as I wrote this on the train, I hope you enjoy reading about these two idiots (endearing) as much as I did writing them

A beetle slowly makes its way across Sebastian Sallow's desk.

The classroom is silent - save for the scratching of quills furiously calculating the Arithmatic probability of who will be the next Minister and the quiet murmur of his professor as she helps Hobhouse (how did he even get into the N.E.W.T. level?) - and Sebastian is going absolutely mad.

He counts how many seconds it takes for the beetle to reach his abandoned quill (fifteen). But, when it takes its seventh step after making it over the quill (an auspicious sign), Sebastian slams his hand down on top of it.

The loud noise echoes through the silent classroom and Sebastian hears her snickering coming from behind him as the whole class turns to see what has happened. His ears turn red, he wishes he could jinx her somehow, and yet he is terribly curious to see what she has sent him this time. Sebastian hopes that everyone has gone back to their equations and stops staring at him, because now that it's in his hands, his fingers are itching to open it. His hands eagerly - shamefully eager, if you ask him - unravel the note he's crumpled up in his hands - almost a shame that he destroyed the beetle, it was one of her better creations - and Sebastian soon curses his haste.

His ears would be an even deeper shade of red were his blood not currently draining to a different part of his body. Sebastian shifts uncomfortably in his seat as he continues reading the note, his eyes flying across the tiny note once, twice, three times before he crumples it up and adds it to the graveyard of the other notes she has been sending him all day. The words fuck my soaking cunt flash up at him and he adjusts his schoolbag so that if anyone were to walk past and look into it, they wouldn't suspect a thing.

You see, this has been going on all week. Sebastian knew that when his seventh year started, it was going to be the culmination of their academic rivalry, but he never expected this. That witch has made taunting him her personal vendetta, and it's working.

Sebastian can't get her out of his mind.

It started in Herbology on Monday, at exactly 7.37 in the morning. Sebastian had been sitting next to Ominis, both complaining under their breaths at how early Professor Garlick had made them wake up (something about the plants blooming - Sebastian can't remember now). He had seen a little snake slither past Ominis's hands, making its way directly to him, and he does remember that he thought it was quite strange that Ominis didn't seem to react to the snake's presence. And then - he took a closer look at it - he saw that it was made of paper. Curious, Sebastian had thought as he grabbed and unfolded it. Reading it started an unfortunate chain of events.

It started out innocently enough, he supposes. Well, if you can call the most indecent thing he's ever read innocent, then it started out innocently.

Sallow - let me just say how absolutely delicious you look in your jacket this morning. I find I want to rip it off of your broad shoulders. Did you hit a growth spurt this summer?

He had flushed, briefly glanced over his shoulder - maybe he could see a face as flushed as his was, watching his reaction, but nothing - before looking back to the note, squinting at the familiar (familiar?) handwriting when Ominis had interrupted him.

"Sebastian? I think we need to start trimming the budding flowers now..."

His voice had blended in with the buzzing in Sebastian's ears as he stared intently down at the note in his hands. He had soon figured out who sent it - how could he not recognize her handwriting? - and the rest of Herbology class had been an absolute disaster. He had spent the whole rest of his time haphazardly massacring his plants and ignoring Ominis's pleas for help as he ruminated on her and what did she mean by her note? Her maddening laughter floated over the sound of tiny, precise snips as Sebastian's classmates did as they were supposed to, boring into his mind as he tried his hardest to figure out what she was up to.

Her plan's working, whatever it is. Sebastian has been frustrated to no end. She's nobody to him, just Anne's annoying best friend. Well, that's not entirely true, and Sebastian doesn't like to lie to himself. She was his closest friend last year, and the year before...ever since she arrived at Hogwarts, really. They did everything together, but something had changed when she visited that summer.

She had spent less time laughing with him, instead choosing to whisper with Anne about Merlin knows what, sometimes looking at him with an expression he couldn't place that had started to drive him crazy.

Sebastian had decided that a certain someone made no sense, that he would ignore the strange way his stomach would flip in her presence, and that he would focus all of his energy into besting her at everything. Maybe if she was embarrassed about being inferior to him, she would stop all of this. Although he would never admit it, he had started having nightmares about her gasping beneath him and needing him, that strange look from the summer flashing in dream-her's eyes, blissful fantasies that have him waking up hard and needing to cast a silencing charm around his bed before he can start his days.

Needless to say, these dreams have become infinitely worse this week.

What started out as a joke has quickly spiraled into an obsession. She soon finds herself watching Sebastian with breathless anticipation every time she sends a note over to him, relishing in the deep flush of his cheeks as he sneaks glances over his shoulder at her.

She doesn't really know what possessed her to start in the first place. A stroke of daring, she supposes as she finishes her latest note with a flourish and charms it to fold itself into a tiny swallow. And, she muses, watching the bird fly towards its victim, it's rather fun to fluster him so.

It's what he deserves, after all, after she has spent a whole year pining after him. A whole bloody year of sighing as he leaned over her shoulder in the library to point at something in her textbook, of his chin resting on top of her head, of warm breath tickling her ears, of watching him defeat every opponent in Crossed Wands, of watching him laugh despite himself at her little quips in Transfiguration. Of making sure -

She stifles a smile as she watches Sebastian eagerly grab the swallow as it flitters towards him. At first, he had tried acting nonchalant, like a cat biding its time before it pounces. Ignoring the notes she's been sending until he can't stand it and then: squashing them, smashing them, trapping them in his large hands, long fingers eager to unfold the note and see what she has to say.

Now, he has abandoned any pretense of aloofness he might have had before.

She can see it in the rigid set of his shoulders. The tension releases somewhat every time he opens a note, but quickly returns as he crumples them up and adds them to his collection. She hopes he's getting as wound up as she is, hopes that he's beginning to know an ounce of the suffering he has been putting her through.

A small voice in the back of her head tells her that she's being unfair, that maybe he's just oblivious - but then, why would he have looked at her like that all summer? And - almost the most maddening thing of all - ever since their seventh year started, he has made it a point to try and best her in every class. She couldn't move on from her silly little crush even if she wanted to, when his deep voice cuts through hers every single class to answer first, when he's always right ahead of her in Potions to get the best ingredients, when he's the one standing across from her in the mock duels in Hecat's class and as he raises his wand and her breath catches in her throat and -... Well, it's only fair, then, that she tries to distract him during class.

She's wondering what the next note should say, is lightly rubbing the edges of the quill's feather against her lips - did she go too far with the latest note? - when the scraping of a chair next to her pulls her out of her thoughts. She jumps at the jarring noise, the quill clatters on the table as it falls, and she feels her own face flush when she sees Sebastian sprawling himself out in the seat right next to hers.

There's a look on his face that she's never seen before and she feels as if all of the air has left her body when he leans in close to her - she could start counting his freckles if her brain hadn't gone completely empty - warm breath tickling her ear as he breathes, "What do you think you're doing?"

She hasn't thought this far ahead.

Why hadn't it occurred to her that Sebastian might confront her about the notes?

"I..." she falters, trying to get her thoughts working again, so that she can find something to say to get her out of this situation. Because she didn't actually want him to notice her, did she? And, what could she possibly say in defense of the filthy things she's been sending him all week? She can't seem to break eye contact with him: she swallows nervously: she tries again: "I -"

Her words fail her once again, when Sebastian's warm hand comes to rest on top of her thigh. Her thick wool skirt might be acting as a barrier between them, but it somehow feels like he's touching her bare skin and her whole body heats up uncontrollably. Even like this, his touch is better - more electric - than what she's been imagining this whole time.

He turns away and pulls parchment out with the hand that isn't actively caressing her thigh, and reaches across her for the quill that has fallen from her fingers. She hears scratching as he starts working on his equations - she vaguely thinks that she should be working on them too, isn't she supposed to be trying to do better than him? But -... her breathing is shallow - all of her nerve endings have seemingly migrated to the spot on her inner thigh that Sebastian's thumb is now massaging in tiny circles - maybe her brain has just packed its bags and left on holiday to Bath for all the use it's giving her now.

He doesn't even spare her a glance during the rest of the class, continues to diligently work on his equations for the first time all week, but his large hand remains on her thigh, completely obliterating any thought from her mind that doesn't have something to do with the warmth that keeps pooling deep in her stomach at his touch.

When the class is blissfully (unfortunately) over, Sebastian finally pulls his hand away and she squeaks in protest against her wishes - her thigh is now cold - that must be it (just discomfort, that's all) - she doesn't feel the relief she thought she would at his absence. He smirks down at the parchment he's rolling up, packs everything into his school bag, and leaves her behind without his eyes darting to hers even once.

Seven notes.

She has sent Sebastian seven bloody notes over the course of the last three days, and as he looks over at the crumpled up papers sitting on the desk in his dorm room, notes he tried his best to smooth out, he feels his heart race increase. He doesn't understand why she's doing this, but he does understand how it's making him feel. He could barely even think during Arithmancy, knowing how much his presence was affecting her, feeling her warm thigh under his hand. And when she protested when he removed his hand, well. He had to get out of there as fast as possible.

Maybe it's a good thing she didn't have the presence of mind to look at his arithmatic equations during class, because they are, unfortunately, incomprehensible. He had to keep up the charade by pretending to scribble for the rest of class, but now he almost regrets it - almost - because his pride won't allow him to ask Amit for his notes.

Sebastian has spent the evening poring over his textbook, trying to make sense of something that should be coming easily to him - Anne doesn't tease him about his strange obsession with numbers for no reason - and yet, his eyes keep wandering over to her notes. (Why did he even take them out of his bag in the first place?) (Why hasn't he burned those blasted things yet?) He has decided to forego studying in the library, the common room, and the Undercroft (places where he might see the object of his inner turmoil), and yet he is still getting nothing done even in the peaceful silence of his dormitory. Because her letters are shouting at him.

Well, not really, as they aren't Howlers. They might as well be, though, with how much he has reread them since he took them out of his bag. A smile spreads across his face despite himself as he puts his plaid jacket - the one he wore on Monday - on his chair to wear tomorrow. That stupid smile doesn't leave his face as he brushes his teeth next to Ominis before bed (thanking Merlin that Ominis is blind and can't pester him about what he cannot see), nor does it leave as he tries to fall asleep that night.

Suffice it to say, Sebastian does not get much sleep that night.

"...caught her snogging Prewett in the boathouse."

"Oh Merlin." A giggle. "I wonder if he's any good. Don't look at me like that, I know you've wondered the same thing..."

She blushes as she tucks her head down, trying to concentrate on the reading before her but it's difficult. First, because Sacharissa is being entirely too loud as she gossips with Grace - they might be some of the first at breakfast, but that doesn't mean they're alone - and second, because she is reading the book she filched from Sacharissa's bag. It's been charmed to look like a History of Magic textbook (nobody would ever be interested enough in one of those to filch it back) and she hopes that it's enough to make sure that no one distracts her in her research.

She has never had experience of the amorous sort before, and she has run out of things to put in the letters she's been sending to Sebastian - they were all just things she had been thinking, or things that she's overheard the boys saying when they thought they were alone. But what she's been reading in Sacharissa's novel - if it can even be called that - are enough to make her so hot and bothered that she's not sure if she should retreat back to her dorm room to read it in peace. As her eyes fly over the words, she pictures Sebastian doing those things to her, with her, and it's enough to make it so she's not even sure she can look him in the eye ever again. The feeling of his hand on her thigh the day before has imprinted itself on her body and in her brain and she barely got any sleep because of it.

"What are you reading?" asks Anne as she plops herself down on the bench, trying to look over her shoulder. She flinches and slams her book shut as fast as possible, feeling her traitorous face heat up. She knows she's making it all more suspicious, but Anne cannot find out. Anne shrugs and starts buttering her toast, stifling a yawn. "I never knew that the Vampire Treatises of the 15th century were so interesting. By the way, have you seen my brother at all? I couldn't find him last night and - Oi, Sebastian!"

Anne stands halfway up and starts waving him over, and she wishes she could vanish. Maybe, instead of researching fresh ways to torture him, she should have been learning how to most effectively vanish oneself from the face of the Earth. She's sure the heat she feels burning her cheeks as she sees him walk over to them is translating to her face being a bright, red, ugly beacon calling to him.

As he walks over to their table, looking entirely too irresistible in that plaid jacket of his, Merlin, his growth spurt really -

"Ladies," he says, nodding at them as he takes a seat across the table, "how did you sleep?"

She knows he's giving her a pointed look as he asks, but she has started to choke on the pumpkin juice she started drinking as he walked over - she is, unfortunately, picturing them doing some of the filthy things she's just read together - and could she really make more of a fool of herself than she already has at this point? But then - he grabs her book. Her heart lurches but she can't do anything due to the fact she's still spluttering over her pumpkin juice, and she watches in horrified fascination as he starts flicking through the pages. His eyebrows raise steadily higher and higher as he reads, his own face turning a shade of red she's certain matches her own. She curses herself again - vampires are so interesting, of course he would want to read about them - she should have made the cover a topic she knows Sebastian hates, like a compendium of spells to boost fingernail growth or a Duncan Hobhouse biography - but it's too late now.

Sebastian clears his throat and glances at her, and she sees uncertainty, vulnerability in his eyes as they make brief contact with hers. Finally her brain starts working - quite possibly for the first time since she started this stupid game in Herbology on Monday - and she hastily stands up, snatching the book from Sebastian's hands - he puts up no resistance - and clutches it to her chest as she blurts out in one breath: "I-slept-terribly-last-night-and-it's-all-thanks-to-you."

And now, she's fleeing the Great Hall, wondering what's gotten into her.

She next sees Sebastian during their Ancient Runes class. Well, she doesn't actually see him: she's made it a point to be the first to enter the class, and keeps her head down as she stares at her parchment the second everything is set up perfectly. Inkwell - parchment - her stupid replacement quill - textbook - everything is in place. After the disastrous event otherwise known as breakfast, she's decided that she's over her silly little crush, and she will never think about Sebastian Sallow again. She will never think about things she might say that will make him laugh again, she will never think of book recommendations again, she will certainly never think of his strong hands caressing her thigh again, and she will never, ever -

A tiny paper fox climbs into her hand.

I didn't get any sleep last night either, because of you. P.S. I still have your quill.

She flushes and looks over her shoulder. Sebastian flashes her a crooked smile that makes her stomach lurch in an unfamiliar way, before he ducks his head down and continues to scribble his translations with her quill. Her quill. A new flash of hatred surges through her - that's what these intense feelings must be - and she decides she needs to get it back.

Instead of translations, she hatefully scribbles down everything that she wants to do to Sebastian Sallow - she wants punch his stupid face, wait: she wants to kiss his stupid freckled face and hold his silly beautiful hands and she wants to feel the deep rumble of his laugh after her jokes as she rests her head on his shoulder and she wants to read next to him and have things be back to how they always were, and yet she wants more than that, more than just being friends, it's what she's wanted all along, isn't it? - and she marches after him when the class has finished.

Sebastian doesn't spare her a glance even though he has to know she's behind him with how much noise her frustrated huffing makes as they weave through the throngs of students in the hallways. It's lunchtime, and yet instead of heading to the Great Hall, he's leading her somewhere else.

He finally stops when they reach the top of the Astronomy Tower, and she opens her mouth to protest. She knows she's terribly flushed, her chest heaving as she glares up at him: "You are despicable! I need my quill -"

She's cut off from speaking as before she knows it, his hands are caressing her face and he is kissing her. Oh, Merlin, it's better than she could have hoped it to be, and her own traitorous body and mind have forgotten the alliance formed against him in the face of Sebastian Sallow's persistence and she's wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him down closer, making sure he can't get away from her again.

Maybe later she can show him all of her notes on how much she hates him and they can have a laugh. Maybe later they can revisit some passages from the book she filched.

But right now, she doesn't let go of Sebastian.

[marauder-misprint]

Letters that never arrived ii

Sebastian Sallow x Ravenclaw!reader

part 1

8.1k words

cw: HL spoilers, swearing, miscommunication, fluff, angst, Y/N

You awoke with a start. There was a hand on your shoulder. You hadn’t realized that you fell asleep.

“Hey,” Ominis’s soft voice said.

You sat up quickly, looking at him with wide eyes.

“‘M sorry!” you said, your voice higher than usual.

“Potions is over,” he said, feeling you stand up. “All of your stuff is still there.”

“Thanks,” you replied, sounding rushed. “Please don’t tell Sebastian I was down here.”

You hurried out of the Undercroft, your face red with embarrassment. You were glad to not run into Sebastian on your way back to the Potions classroom. You were also glad that there wasn’t a class immediately after yours so your unmoved stuff wasn’t bothering anyone. 

“I’m sorry, Professor,” you said as you entered the room. “I didn’t expect the Amortentia to be that strong.”

Professor Sharp looked up from his desk. “That’s alright, Ms. L/N. You seemed to take it worse than anyone I’ve ever seen… Are you sure that you are okay? It may be wise to go to the hospital wing and take the rest of the day off.”

You sighed. “I think I’m alright now. But if it takes a turn for the worse, I will visit Matron Blainey. Again, I’m sorry.”

“If you are feeling alright, then I won’t worry. Just make sure to get the rest of the notes from another student,” he told you. “Oh, and Mr. Sallow seemed very concerned at your departure from class. Might want to check in with him.” 

You felt your face go bright red. All you could do was nod before turning to gather your things and then leave the classroom as quickly as you could so you wouldn’t be too late for Charms. 

---

Ominis did tell Sebastian. He hadn’t said he wouldn’t. 

“Y/N was… down there today,” he said casually at dinner. 

“What? When?” Sebastian set down his fork and fully turned toward his friend. 

“Potions. I found her asleep afterwards since I had a free period… She asked me to not tell you.”

Sebastain frowned. “She’s determined to avoid me forever, isn’t she?”

“It is very possible. Maybe Lucan can pair you against her in Crossed Wands or something. A duel might be good for you both.”

“And get myself knocked on my ass?” Sebastian laughed. 

“You insult, you get your ass handed to you on a silver platter. Sounds fair,” Ominis reasoned. 

“Who’s serving Sallow’s ass to him?” Imelda asked. “Better not be anyone on the Gryffindor team. We need to beat them tomorrow. Be at the pitch on time, Sallow.”

“No one, at this rate. My ass is my own,” Sebastian said with a sigh. 

“Out of curiosity, have you tried talking to her at all this term?” Ominis asked.

“Well, no, technically,” Sebastian said, earning an irritated look from Ominis. “But she positions herself as far away from me as she can!”

Ominis shook his head. “For a master of mischief, you certainly are not putting all of your effort into this. Maybe if you talked to her, instead of beating up anyone who shows interest in her, we wouldn’t be missing her friendship.”

Sebastian didn’t respond. He seemed completely focused on moving the food around his plate but not eating.

“If it makes you feel any better, we were not the only ones unable to reach her over the summer.”

Sebastian’s head snapped up, staring at Ominis intensely. “What?”

“She said she was unreachable all summer. Even her other friends could not reach her.”

“She said?” Sebastian repeated slowly. “When did you speak with her?”

“Wednesday,” he said calmly.

“You spoke with her two days ago and didn’t tell me?” Sebastian sounded frustrated. 

“She cornered me outside the library and wanted to know why you were beating up anyone who asked her on a date. Oh, and she wanted me to remind you that you two are not dating.”

“What did you tell her?” he asked, sounding more scared than frustrated now.

“Well, I thought it had been obvious why you had been doing that; she did not like the answer,” Ominis said with a smirk. “Then I tried to explain your implied relationship with her, which, again, she did not like.” 

“Gods, maybe a Crossed Wands duel is what I need. Then she can just kill me and we’ll call it even.”

“She could. Or you could talk to her, regain her trust and friendship, and then ask her out? Certainly both are better than sending any more potential suitors to the hospital wing.”

“Someone said he had his hand up her shirt!” Sebastian hissed. “He deserved it.”

“I heard she was on his lap and letting him. Sounds consensual.” 

Sebastian groaned. “Fine, I’ll talk to her.”

---

You didn’t want to go to the quidditch game, but Natty made you promise you’d go. You grumpily put on one of Natty’s extra scarves and stood between her and Garreth in the stands. You planned to endure their cheers for Leander Prewett for the game and then you would disappear into you room until the Gryffindor party, assuming they won. Natty also made you promise that if Gryffindor won, you would at least come to part of the party.

Like the week prior, the crowd cheered as the teams exited the locker rooms and did their warm up laps. Once again, you swore you made eye contact with Sebastian. You scowled.

“Got some distaste for Slytherin finally?” Garreth asked, nudging you with his elbow. 

You rolled your eyes. “Something like that.”

Slytherin was definitely the better team in this matchup. They took the lead right away and kept it. Sebastian’s aim was as perfect as it had been. Without Sebastian getting distracted and launching a bludger into the stands, the team was flying circles around the Gryffindors. The Gryffindor seeker saw the snitch first, but the Slytherin seeker had been closer to it and managed to swiftly catch it, ending the game. It felt much shorter than the game against Hufflepuff. 

“Damn, no party,” Natty said dejectedly. 

“I like how that’s the part you’re sad about,” you said with a laugh. 

“Not all of us got to go to the Hufflepuff one!” Garreth reminded you. 

“Have you considered just having a party on the weekend? Like next week, there’s no quidditch. Just have a party.”

“Prefects won’t stand for it,” Garreth said. “Trust me, people have tried.”

The stands emptied and students filled the Great Hall. It seemed much calmer without Sebastian starting a fight in the corridor. Without a party to go to, you planned to spend the rest of the day in your dorm. You’d get homework done and if you had time to spare, you’d maybe go to the Room of Requirement to brew potions and tend to plants you had growing up there. 

Laying on the ground in your room, you worked on a Transfiguration essay. You were proud of the progress you were making, until a first year knocked on the door.

“Excuse me, are you Y/N?”

You looked at the young girl, blinking in surprise at someone other than Constance or Samantha at the door. “Yeah. That’s me.”

“There’s someone asking for you at the common room door.”

You blinked again. “Who?”

“I don’t know. He didn’t say and won’t come in either.”

“Was he wearing green? Yellow?” you asked, trying to guess who it was.

“I don’t know,” the girl repeated. “I’m just delivering the message!”

“Okay, I’ll go see what’s up.”

You got up, leaving your homework spread out on the floor, and followed the first year down the stairs to the common room door. You half expected to see Elias there, trying to make the previous week’s snog into something more. Instead, Sebastian stood there, looking semi-nervous.

“Thanks,” you told the first year before closing the door behind you, leaving you alone with Sebastian in the stairwell. 

You took a moment to look over Sebastian, something you had both been meaning to do and avoiding. You now understood what Constance and Samantha had meant by puberty doing work on him. He was at least a full head taller than you were, his shoulders more broad. His face seemed slightly slimmer and his jaw more square. Quidditch had also been doing him well in addition to the exercise one gets in intense dueling; although part of his physique might be accentuated due to losing weight. Ominis’s words about how Sebastian was over the summer still sat with you. But Sebastian still had his warm brown eyes, casually messy hair and almost excessive amount of freckles. 

“You sent a first year for me?”

“Obviously I can’t go in myself.”

“Constance or Samantha have to be around too. You know, my roommates who aren’t afraid of you?”

“But she got you here. I… I’m not sure Constance or Samantha would’ve helped me.”

“Okay. So I’m here. What?” you asked impatiently.

“Can we talk in the Undercroft?”

“No.”

“Oh, okay. Um,” he muttered, looking a little uncomfortable. “I guess we can talk here.”

“Then talk. I was working on Transfiguration homework.”

“How are you?”

You blinked at him in surprise, like you had done to the first year. “I’m fine?”

“You ran out of Potions rather unexpectedly. I wanted to know if you were okay.”

“So you waited twenty four hours to do so. So timely.”

“You’ve become rather good at making yourself scarce.”

“My friends know where to find me.”

“I don’t like that I’m not included in that.”

“Darn. Sucks to be you then, doesn’t it?”

He pressed his lips together. 

“So… was that all? Can I go back to studying?”

“No! Please, Y/N, I’d really rather do this somewhere more private,” he practically begged. 

You shook your head. “This is private enough. Talk if you’re going to talk or I’m going back in. And then you can go to your party where I’m sure you’ll be worshiped like a king. Good game, by the way.”

“I-I… I’m sorry. I need you to know that I’m sorry,” he said, stumbling over his words.

“For?”

“I’m sorry for calling you a mudblood last term. It was idiotic of me and I spent all of summer beating myself up over it. And then you didn’t get my letter and you’ve been avoiding me since we got back. I miss you and I’m sorry.”

“What about Andrew and Elias?” you asked curtly, although pleased that he had finally apologized. 

He didn’t respond right away. “I don’t know if I am sorry for that.”

You raised your eyebrows at him. “Then answer me this. What are we?”

“Hopefully friends again.”

“And we are not…”

“Not dating.”

“Ah, good” you said with a chuckle. “You do retain some things that aren’t in books from the Restricted Section!” 

“So we can be friends again?”

“Maybe. I accept your apology but I’m not sure if I’m ready to forgive you and go right back into how things were.”

“Would you consider coming to the party?” he asked, trying to gauge where your friendship might be.

“The Slytherin party? You’ve got to be kidding.”

“If I’m being honest, I don’t really want to go if you’re not there.”

“To see if you can get what Elias did last week?” you asked with a sneer.

His eyes went wide and his cheeks flushed. “I-I was not… I didn’t mean to imply… I just meant…”

You laughed. “What’s the password? I’ll consider going if you can promise that Ominis will be there.”

“Treasure. And he’ll be there for a bit. He’ll sometimes go back to our dorm early since it does get loud. But I’ll make sure he stays around, especially if it means you’ll come.”

“I’ll come,” you said with a sigh and turned to go back into the common room.

“It’s already started,” he said meekly.

“I said I’ll come. I didn’t say when. I have a Transfiguration essay to finish.”

You then entered the common room, leaving him alone in the stairwell. In your dorm, you laid back on the floor and tried to get back into the flow of homework. It took you longer than you intended to get back into the essay, but once you were in a groove, it was finished quickly. If only that first year hadn’t interrupted you… You sighed and cleaned up your homework off the floor. You left your dorm and passed Samantha on the way down.

“Oh, are you going to dinner already?” Samantha asked.

“No, actually. I’ve been invited to the Slytherin party.”

Samantha paused, looking at you to see if you were joking. “And you’re going?”

You shrugged. “I kind of made it my mission to see all the common rooms this year,” you lied, before jokingly saying, “Maybe I’ll get some action again.”

“From who?” Samantha scoffed, crossing her arms. 

“Not sure. We’ll see who’s all there.”

You left Samantha dumbfounded on the stairs. You made your way to the Slytherin Dungeon, following a pair of giggling Hufflepuffs who seemed to have also been invited. They gave the password to the door and it was still there when you reached to open it. After you opened the door, you were greeted with blasting music and the stern face of a seventh year Slytherin. He was talking to the Hufflepuff girls before gesturing them down the stairs.

“Hold it,” he said to you as you tried to slip past him. “This party is invite only for other houses.”

“Sebastian invited me.”

His eyes narrowed. He held up a finger and yelled something down the stairwell. You waited for something to happen. After a minute, Sebastian strolled up the stairs, his face lighting up when he saw you standing there. 

“Lestrange, she’s good,” he told the seventh year, who looked annoyed at you. “You came!”

You sighed. “I did say I would. Where’s Ominis?”

“Follow me!” Sebastian said, taking your hand and leading you down the stairs. 

The music only got louder as they descended into the common room. As much as you loved Ravenclaw Tower, the Slytherin Dungeon was breathtaking. There was a certain green hue to everything, but it was beautiful and fitting. Like the Hufflepuff party, the center of the room was filled with students dancing with the outskirts of the room more mellow. Sebastian pulled you towards a student who appeared to be in charge of drinks. 

“Two firewhiskeys,” Sebastian told the student. 

The boy nodded and handed them cups. 

“I’m not really a firewhiskey girl…” you said to Sebastian. 

“You are tonight.”

Sebastian led you to another part of the common room and your jaw dropped. You hadn’t been expecting tall windows that showcased the Black Lake. To your delight, he kept walking towards one of the windows. As you approached one of the windows’ alcoves, Ominis came into view. He was sitting on the ground, clutching his own cup with his head pressed against the wall behind him and eyes closed. 

“Ominis! Guess who showed up!” Sebastian said cheerfully, nudging his sitting friend’s rear with his foot. 

“I would love to guess Y/N but we both know you do not have the courage to apologize to her.”

You sat down across from Ominis. “We need to document this. Ominis is wrong for once.”

Ominis sat up straighter, opening his eyes. 

“Y/N?” he asked. His head turned towards Sebastian. “You actually apologized?”

“Well, no need to sound so surprised. I said I would.”

Ominis shook his head. “You said you would talk to her. I half expected you to return one night begging me to help you reverse one of her hexes.”

“It’s the beginning of the night, Ominis. There is still time,” you said with a smirk.

“But you said he apologized?”

“I did.”

“For what he said. Not what he did.”

Ominis nodded, understanding what you meant.

“It is good to have you here. It will make this much more tolerable.”

Imelda appeared next to Sebastian, barely giving you a glance. She had her hand on his shoulder and was jerking him back into the party.

“Come on! Team’s doing shots!” she yelled as they disappeared into the crowd. 

After a moment of silence between you and Ominis, he spoke. 

“Do you forgive him?”

“I’m working on it. I don’t know if I really have a choice.”

He gave her a quizzical look. “How would you not have a choice?”

Sighing, you moved so that you were sitting next to Ominis instead of across from him. You looked up at the tall window, its lights dancing across your faces and the floor. It was peaceful. 

“If I tell you, you cannot tell Sebastian.”

“He would find solace in knowing you will forgive him eventually.”

“Ominis, this is… more than forgiveness.”

He tilted his head like a confused puppy. “Go on.”

“Say you won’t tell Sebastian.”

“Sebastian will know nothing of this conversation.”

You took a deep breath. “What did you smell in the Amortentia?”

Ominis was taken aback by your question, although he felt he knew where the conversation would lead. 

“Uh… Warm hay, vanilla, and cooking garlic,” he listed off. “How is…”

“But when you smelled the potion, it was just scents, right?” you asked, cutting him off.

“Yes.”

“I… I didn’t smell anything. Not really. I saw things.”

“That’s why you left so urgently?”

“I saw memories of everything I’d ever done with Sebastian. Each memory felt more vivid than when it actually happened. So, yes, there were smells, but it wasn’t like… distinct scents.”

Ominis reached his hand out to search for yours, but they weren’t next to your side so he settled with gently resting it on your knee. 

“Y/N,” he whispered, barely audible over the music. 

“I should have smelled smoke from a woodfire and fresh cookies and lemons. I love those smells. But I didn’t. I think I could be mad at him forever, but I would always forgive him.”

“Is that why you agreed to come tonight?”

“Maybe? I think it was hearing him say he missed me. Something just… clicked.”

“My word was not good enough for that?” he asked, mirth lacing his words. 

“You can explain how much of a wreck he is oh so eloquently, but there is nothing like hearing him say it. Hearing him acknowledge that he liked having me in his life. Hearing him say he’s sorry like he means it.” 

Sebastian stumbled back over to the alcove where they were sitting. He used the wall to keep him standing up.

“That was… more than one shot,” he said, gagging slightly.

“If you are going to vomit, you can do that elsewhere,” Ominis told him in a stern voice. 

Sebastian slowly slid down the wall until he was sitting across from Ominis and you, where you had been sitting when he was dragged away by Imelda. 

“Has the world always been spinning?”

“Technically,” you laughed. “But if the room is spinning, that’s because you’ve drank too much firewhiskey.”

“And vodka,” Sebastian added. “So. Much. Vodka.”

You placed your head on Ominis’s shoulder. You were holding your cup between your legs, having barely had any of it. 

“So what have I missed in this quiet corner?” Sebastian asked, looking from Ominis to you.

“Just talking about you,” Ominis answered. 

Sebastian smiled wickedly.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah,” you confirmed. “You’re a decent quidditch player when you aren’t aiming bludgers at fans.”

Ominis laughed while Sebastian turned a shade of pink. You smirked at his reaction. 

“I wasn’t aiming for you.”

“I know, but you still came damn close. You’re lucky Poppy values my safety.”

“I value your safety!” he defended. “Just not… his.”

“Clearly.” 

“Please, Y/N. He’s the reason that Hufflepuff is in the hospital wing,” Ominis said, still laughing. 

“What did you do?” you snapped, sitting up straight. 

“Couple of hexes. Nothing Blainey can’t fix,” he said with ease. 

“Maybe I should have held out until you did apologize for what you’ve done to the boys.”

“Larson just got a little shove. He’s fine,” Sebastian said. 

“Plus, he did not get anywhere with you,” Ominis added, not helping Sebastian’s case and he knew it.

Your gaze moved to glare at Ominis. “And what does that mean?”

With a cheeky smile, he said, “You know your snogging session with the Hufflepuff is no secret. His hand, up your shirt?”

You turned bright red. You looked down at your cup, remembering how Elias had felt you up. Then, realization dawning on you, you looked up at Sebastian.

“Is that why he’s in the hospital wing?”

He nodded, not making eye contact. You threw your head back with a laugh.

“Elias won’t be able to look at you without wetting himself,” you said. “You nearly kill him with a bludger, you throw punches at him and break his nose, and a compilation of hexes. Merlin, Seb…”

Sebastian smiled at your old nickname for him. You were the only one who had ever called him that, besides Anne. 

“Have you ever considered being, I don’t know, less violent?” you asked.

“I’m not that violent!”

“You literally put the first guy I’ve kissed in years in the hospital wing, Sebastian!” you scolded him. 

He rolled his eyes. “It happens.”

“Only with you, Sebastian. Only with you,” Ominis muttered, earning a laugh from you. 

A girl you somewhat recognized approached their alcove, looking mildly nervous. She looked from Sebastian to you with a wary look. 

“Hey Sebastian,” she said. 

He looked up at her. “Oh, hi Violet.”

Violet McDowell. That’s who it was. You vaguely recalled her being in your Potions class last term. Violet shifted her weight, casting a nervous glance at you and Ominis.

“I was wondering if you’d want to dance?” she asked, her voice soft with femininity. 

“Oh, I’m not-” Sebastian started to say.

“Go on, dance,” you interrupted. “We’ll be here.”

“Oh… Okay. Sure, I’ll dance,” Sebastian said, giving you a confused look but standing up to follow Violet to where people were dancing.

Ominis shifted his body as if he were using his full body to look at you. 

“Excuse my profanity, but what the fuck was that?”

“He should be having fun. This party wouldn’t be happening with him,” you said coolly. 

“And you think he was not having fun with us? With you?”

Rolling her eyes, you replied, “He could be having more fun.”

“Y/N, he does not want to dance with Violet. She’s a fine girl, but he would rather dance with someone else. Or talk with someone else. Or sit in silence with someone else.”

“What are you getting at?”

“That he’s been the happiest I have heard him in a while since you walked into this common room. And it is not the firewhiskey.”

“It’s the vodka,” you said definitively. “OW!”

Ominis had smacked your shoulder harder than a playful shove. 

“Don’t be so dense.”

“So he’s happy to have me around. Why does that mean he can’t dance with a pretty girl like Violet?”

“He has his eyes set on someone else.”

“Who?”

“Do I need to hit you again?”

“Please don’t,” you said, rubbing your shoulder. 

“Then put two and two together.”

“I’d… I’d rather not right now.”

“Why not? Now is a perfectly good time,” Ominis said, crossing his arms firmly over his chest. 

“Because I’m not ready to, Ominis. I need more time.”

His face softened at the intensity in your voice. He gave your knee another squeeze. 

“But you do know?”

“I won’t believe it until I hear it from him.”

He sighed. “Are they dancing?”

You scanned the dance floor, but it was so crowded that you couldn’t really recognize anyone. 

“Not sure. I can’t see him. Why?”

“Let’s go to my dorm. There’s something I want to show you.”

Ominis stood up and held out his hand to help you up. Then you made your way through the throngs of people enjoying the party. Ominis led the way with his wand pulsing red as he made his way to the boys’ dormitories. You were a little baffled to see that the dorms were arranged in a circle, all on the same level. Being sixth years, his and Sebastian’s dorm was in the center of the circle. 

Once in the dorm, you sat down in one of the chairs around the edge of the room. You watched Ominis dig through the drawers of one of the desks. 

“What are you looking for?” you asked.

“Sebastian’s letters to you.”

You gave a dry laugh. “He kept letters he never sent to me?”

“Sort of. He kept the ones you never got because the owl came back with them. And a couple of ones that he started and never finished. They have circled sentences, which I think means he liked how he phrased something but thought the rest of the letter was rubbish.”

“How do you know he has these?”

“I am a nosy bastard.”

That got a real laugh out of you. “Of all the things to call yourself,” you said. 

“Aha!” Ominis stood up straight with a decent pile of parchment in his hands. Some were crinkled and others torn. One or two seemed to be nicely folded with a string attached. 

Ominis walked over to where you were sitting and handed them to you.

“Read them,” he demanded.

You flipped through the pages quickly.

“There has to be at least twenty pages! Ominis, this feels like an invasion of Sebastian’s privacy.”

“He wanted you to read them at some point. Or he wouldn’t have written them.”

He could feel your hesitation.

“You can at least read the ones tied with string. He actually tried to send those to you. It is, well, your own fault that you never got them.”

You separated the two tied in string from the rest of the pile. You twirled the twine in your fingers, causing it to unravel.

“I don’t know… It still feels wrong.” 

“If everything goes wrong, you can blame me. Say I forced you. Because I am. You are not leaving this dorm until you read the letters.”

“Ominis, I-”

“Read them,” he urged. “You need to.”

You looked at the letters in your hands and sighed. You pulled the string on the one with the earlier date scrawled on the corner in Sebastian’s messy handwriting. You unfolded it and then paused after seeing your name. 

“Have you read these?”

Ominis’ cheeks turned light pink. “Yes. He wanted me to make sure they made sense… And they do, for the most part.”

“Okay…”

Dearest Y/N,

I hope you are safe and alive, wherever you are. Where are you? It didn’t feel right that you left without saying goodbye. I don’t like how we left things. I didn’t mean what I said. I was just caught up in what you were planning - which I still think is a bad idea. Did you go through with it? I hope you didn’t, for your own sake. 

Ominis and I made it to Feldcroft fine. My uncle’s house isn’t in the best shape, but we’re making do. Will you visit us? I want to spend part of the summer with you, my dearest friend. The summer is too long to be apart. Kindred souls should not be apart for so long once they have known each other. 

Please write back that you are okay and when you hope to visit. We miss you.

Love, Seb

You folded the letter and set it down on the table next to you, in a different pile than the rest of the scrap parchment. Ominis was sitting on his bed, seemingly watching you with his unseeing eyes. You unfolded the second letter.

Dearest Y/N,

Unfortunately, my first letter never found its way to you. I cannot explain how much I miss your presence. The world doesn’t feel right. I struggle with It is impossible to say how much I hope you are okay. I need to know that you are alive. Please, write back as soon as you get this letter. I lost Anne and Solomon. Don’t let me lose you too.

Where did you go to? You left so suddenly without saying goodbye. That hurt me and I wish you hadn’t so I could fix things. I didn’t mean to push you away from us. While I disagree with your plans, I regret how I expressed it. I never meant to hurt you. 

Ominis and I are at my uncle’s house in Feldcroft. Please visit. I need to see you before the end of summer. Or let me know where you are and I will come to you. Please, I need to see you. Every day gets I miss you.

Please write back. I need to know that you are alive and well.

Love, Seb

You folded the second letter and placed it on top of the first. You sighed. 

“I read the letters.”

“He signed them ‘love,’” Ominis said matter-of-factly. 

“I know. I read the letters,” you repeated. Your hand reached for the scraps but then you stopped yourself. “Have you read all of them?”

“No. Only two more of the unfinished ones.”

“I don’t know what the point of me reading these is. To show me that I should’ve been reachable over the summer? That I shouldn’t have left the way I did? Although I was, am, deeply insulted at what happened, I still stand by what I did.”

“Read between the lines a little bit. See how much he cares for you. How he cares for you as more than a friend.”

“Ominis,” was all you could say before Sebastian burst through the door, his face flushed under his freckles. 

While you had been in the dorm, reading his letters, he had been trying to find you both. He put up with one song while dancing with Violet before excusing himself to get a drink. Sebastian was already quite drunk, but he needed a valid excuse to get back to his friends that was better than “I don’t want to dance with you.” He grabbed a drink for you, assuming you must’ve finished your first by now. He was confused when he didn’t see you or Ominis sitting in the alcove by the window. He scanned the room and did a lap, trying to find you. He finished his drink while looking for you, weaving through the crowd, hoping that you just moved somewhere else in the common room. He started to drink from the cup he had grabbed for you and asked everyone around him if they had seen either of his friends. Another boy from his dorm said he saw you head for the dorms. That sent Sebastian’s head spinning: the dorms. 

You had looked comfortable resting your head on Ominis’s shoulder earlier. Would his best friend really betray him like that? Surely Ominis knew how he felt about you. He had read the letters he tried to send to you over the summer. Ominis was blind, but it only made him ten times more perceptive to the little things. Ominis couldn’t be getting what you had teased Sebastian about outside the Ravenclaw Tower when he practically begged you to come to the party.

His mind was racing as he made his way to the dorms. He burst through the door to see you and Ominis sitting on opposite sides of the room, much to his relief. But then he saw the pile of crumpled parchment, two folded letters and discarded twine on the table next to you.

“How much did you read?” 

For once, he wasn’t upset with what his mind had chosen to say. He had wanted to say “There you are!” and “What are you doing going through my things?” What he had said was an agreeable medium, although the words were laced with fear.

You turned pale. “Only the ones you had tried to send me. Ominis insisted.”

“Sure, blame it on Ominis,” Sebastian scoffed, moving to grab all of the letters. 

“It’s true, Sebastian,” Omins said. “I brought her in here. I got them out of your desk and put them in her hands. And then told her I would not let her leave until she read them.”

“And why would you do that?” he growled, turning towards his friend. 

Ominis knew he couldn’t tell Sebastian what you had told him in the alcove.

“I thought… I thought it would help her forgive you.”

Sebastian moved closer to Ominis, crumpling all of the parchment in his hands. “These are not yours to show people. I don’t go through your stuff. Don’t go through mine.”

He threw the letters on the ground and pointed his want at them. “Incendio.” 

The parchment burst into flames before quickly dying out and Sebastian stamped them into ashes. He felt emotion beginning to swim in his eyes. He squeezed them shut. 

“Fuck,” he whispered, before turning to look at you. 

“You can go, I guess. Sorry I made you come.”

“Seb,” you said before he cut you off.

“Save it. I’m not in the mood anymore. It’s best if you leave before I make an ass of myself.”

You bit the inside of your lip. Then you nodded, standing up from your chair.

“Goodnight,” you said as you disappeared through the door. 

You lingered in the corridor after the door closed behind you. You tried to listen through the door, not sure what you were trying to hear. When you heard nothing, you sighed and walked out into the party, which was still in full swing. Only a few students seemed to have disappeared. You decided your plan of action would be returning to your own house. Sebastian had been the one to invite you and Ominis was your leverage to come; both were in their dorm. You briefly considered seeking out Imelda, but decided against it since she was likely enjoying the party to an extreme extent. 

Once again, Samantha was in the common room waiting for your return. Only this time, she managed to stay awake. She was reading on a couch when you came up the stairs. 

“You’re back!” she exclaimed, immediately closing her book and patting the couch next to her. “Tell me everything!” 

You sat down and tucked your legs under you. 

“Synopsis! First, they had a seventh year acting as a bouncer. No invite, no entrance. He literally called Sebastian over to confirm that I had been invited.”

“So that’s who invited you!” Samantha interrupted.

“Yeah, but that’s a whole other mess that I have to deal with later,” you continued, ignoring the look Samantha gave you. “Anyways, they had someone in charge of drinks like Hufflepuff. Lots of dancing in the center of the common room. I spent most of the night with Ominis in a little alcove. Their common room has these great big windows that show the Black Lake. So breathtaking. Sebastian would sit with us for a little bit until someone would drag him away. He’d come and then get dragged away again. I expected that to happen since he’s their superstar beater.” You paused, taking a breath. “Ominis did take me back to his dorm, but it’s not what you think!”

Samantha’s eyebrows shot upwards and her mouth dropped open. 

“He wanted to show me some letters from him and Sebastian wrote me over the summer, but never made it to me. That’s it. I read the letters and then I left.”

Her eyebrows returned to their normal resting position. “So you drank, talked and read? Does that even count as a party?”

“Other people were dancing and doing shots. I just had different reasons for being there than the rest of them.”

“Well, did you see anything gossip worthy? Besides you going back to the boys’ dorms.”

“Oh my Merlin, nothing happened between me and Ominis. I expect you to tell that to anyone who says otherwise. He was across the room while I read the letters.”

“Fine, but gossip?”

“Not really, I didn’t pay attention to other people. Best I can tell you is that Violet McDowell asked Sebastian to dance and I don’t think he would’ve gone if I hadn’t told him to.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah.”

“So what happened to whatever went down between you three last term? Suddenly all buddy buddy with them again?” Samantha asked, leaning backwards into the couch. 

“They finally got the courage to apologize. I wouldn’t say it’s buddy buddy, but we can talk now.”

“Hmm… Oh! Constance was right. They did try to write you over the summer!”

You hummed. “Don’t say it’s my fault for being unreachable. I had my reasons.”

“Whatever!” Samantha laughed. “People tried to communicate but you cut the world out!”

“I talked to Mr. Pippin and Sirona. Mr. Brown, Mr. Teasdale, Ms. Green.”

“You talked to shopkeeps in Hogsmeade, but none of your friends?”

“I had my reasons.”

“Really?”

You could tell that Samantha was a little hurt with knowing that you had talked to people, but not any of your friends, including her. 

“Sammy, I only talked to them when I needed supplies. I couldn’t have anyone know where I was. I need you to trust me on this.”

“What were you hiding from?”

“The world,” you muttered.

“Oh, Y/N, you don’t need to hide from the world.”

“Sometimes it felt like I was protecting the world from myself, you know? It was just better for me to be in solitude. We’ll see how it is in the spring, if I have to do that again.”

“Say goodbye at least, if you’re going to disappear.”

You smiled. “I’ll try. Now, let’s get to bed.”

---

While you were glad that there weren’t rumors about you and Ominis, you were concerned that there really weren’t any rumors from the Slytherin party. Everything people were talking about seemed to be old news. You saw Ominis walking down the corridor. You hurried up to him and pulled him into the nearest broom closet.

“I am going to hex whoever just grabbed a blind-” he said threateningly before you put your hand over his mouth.

“Shut up, it’s me.”

“Y/N?” he mumbled against your hand. You removed your hand. “Why are we in a closet?”

“I need to talk to you.”

“And you can only do that in a closet?” he asked, making sure he understood you.

“I… I… um. Just hear me out.” You paused to see if he wanted to say anything before you continued. “Why is no one talking about the party?”

“They are,” he said coolly. 

“No? I haven’t heard about the party?”

“That’s because you’re not a Slytherin,” he said with a chuckle. “I forget how new you still are to everything. People don’t spread rumors about what Slytherins do at Slytherin parties. If you want to keep your invite, you keep your mouth shut. But in the common room, we talk.”

“Oh… What have they been saying?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” he said teasingly. “You are not a Slytherin and this is not our common room.”

“Ominis!”

He laughed and leaned back against a shelf gently, as if making sure he wouldn’t knock anything off of it. 

“The most you’ve been in anything is people confused on why you were there. You know, being that you really haven’t been seen with us since last term. A younger student had said he thought he saw us heading towards the dorms together, but I corrected him.”

“Okay.”

You stood in silence.

“Can I go to class now?” Ominis asked.

“Yeah, go,” you responded, giving Ominis a light shove towards the door.

You closed it behind him and sat on the ground in the dark closet. Every time you thought about the party, you started to think deeply about Sebastian’s letters. You could picture them in your mind so clearly. Your thoughts traced over his messy handwriting, the certain phrases that stuck out to you.

 I want to spend part of the summer with you, my dearest friend. The summer is too long to be apart. Kindred souls should not be apart for so long once they have known each other. 

We miss you.

Love, Seb

That hurt me

I never meant to hurt you.

I need to see you. 

I need to know that you are alive and well.

I miss you.

Love, Seb

His word choice was all you could think about and you knew that you were overthinking it. You smiled at his calling you kindred souls again; it had just been something he said offhandedly when you were first getting to know each other. Apparently, he had remembered, as you did. The change between the first letter to the second wasn’t unnoticed. It changed from what could be a joint letter with Ominis to one that was only from him. A ‘we’ turned into an ‘I’ and that made all the difference. A simple request for a response turned into a need. And then there was his sign off. Love. 

You wished Sebastian hadn’t burned the rest of the letters. The more you thought about it, the more you needed to know what he had written but never sent. You hadn’t glanced at the scraps to see if he had dated them like he had dated the finished letters. Had he been attempting to write to you while you were just across the classroom? Had he written an apology with Ominis-level of eloquence that he scrapped in favor of an in-person one? Had there been more said in the scraps as Ominis implied? 

You were abruptly brought out of your thoughts by the closet door opening. Mr. Moon was standing there, looking down at you confused.

“Ms. L/N, you don’t appear to be a broom. What are you doing in here?”

“I was just… hiding.”

“Well, I found you,” he said, giving her sarcastic jazz hands. “Go hide elsewhere.”

You stood up quickly and squeezed past him as he didn’t move out of your way. 

“Yes sir,” you muttered. 

You headed to Professor Hecat’s class. You weren't sure how much time was left in your free period, but you figured the earlier you got there, the more likely you’d be able to talk to Sebastian. He usually showed up early, making it the only class he had never been late to. Despite his fascination with the dark arts that he claimed to be trying to get rid of, Defense Against the Dark Arts was clearly his favorite class. You assumed that was because the class was essentially Dueling 101. Professor Hecat knew about the students’ “secret” Cross Wands and ensured that you participated last year. You assumed it was at Hecat’s request that the other teachers turned a blind eye to the unsanctioned club. 

The class in session was just letting out when you arrived. If you went in right away, you’d have to pick a spot and then possibly move when Sebastian arrived. And you didn’t feel like making small talk with your professor. So you waited outside the classroom, leaning against the wall and watching students pass by. Leander and Garreth said hi to you as they entered the classroom. And then the person you were waiting for arrived. 

Sebastian gave you a soft unsure smile before heading into the classroom. You immediately followed him in and sat down on the bench next to him. You didn’t understand why your heart was beating so quickly. You had sat next to Sebastian hundreds of times before. You’d been physically closer to him before and never felt like this. But something about this interaction had your heart going into overdrive. And he was just taking out his supplies to be ready for class. 

“Sebastian,” you finally said. 

He stopped moving and looked at you. “Hi Y/N.”

“Why did you burn all the letters?” you asked, not caring for your bluntness.

His face turned pink. “They were my letters. Doesn’t matter why.”

“But you wrote them for me. Right?”

“I… I was getting my thoughts down on paper.”

“Thoughts you wanted to say to me?”

“Yes.” He looked away from you. This was not a discussion he thought he would be having before your Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

“Seb,” you said gently, placing your hand on his shoulder. “I wasn’t going to read the others. You have never sent those.”

He shook his head. “You shouldn’t have read the letters. They weren’t yours to read.”

“They technically were addressed to me!” you corrected him. “But can we put that aside for a second? I need to know something.”

Sebastian still wasn’t look at you, but he nodded.

“Ominis said I needed to read in between the lines and that the unfinished letters, well, were more. Should I be reading into what I did read?”

He looked at you, his face fully red at this point. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. And then he looked down at his hands. You bit her bottom lip. Despite telling everyone you weren't ready for anything, you decided to take a leap of faith.

“Do you want to know why I left Potions during the Amortentia lesson?”

His eyes met yours. “I assumed it was what you smelled. Surprised you or something.”

You let out a soft laugh. “Shook me to my core is more like it. There wasn’t a wave of scents like I had expected. It was a series of visions that were all more vivid than the actual events. It was so intense that I almost blacked out and that’s why I left. But the visions, the memories. They were all of you. Every single one. Everything from my first day here. Just you.”

You could feel your heart pounding in your chest. It was all you could feel. Sebastian was staring at you with his mouth open, not saying anything.

“So, ahem, should I be reading into your letters? Or should I adjust how I go about life?”

He abruptly stood up, grabbed your arm and pulled you out of the classroom, leaving his stuff on the desk. He didn’t say anything but within seconds, you knew that he was taking you to the Undercroft. It was too close and provided privacy. Sebastian didn’t let go of your arm until the door closed behind you with a loud clang. 

“You tell me all of that right before class?” he asked, sounding breathless. He ran a hand through his hair. “Merlin, Y/N, your timing!”

“I… I had to do it while I still had the nerve to.”

“The nerve to,” he repeated, pacing around the Undercroft and continuing to run his hands through his hair like he didn’t know what else to do with them. “So instead of just smelling… me, you saw me? And that sent you running?”

“I ran because the visions were so intense, not because they were you.” You paused and looked at your feet. “I had thought I was beginning to get over you, but apparently that’s not possible.”

“Get over me?”

“Gods, Seb, how could you not notice?” you said with an airy laugh of disbelief. “How in love I was.”

“Was?” He walked closer to where you were standing.

“I tried to get over you during the summer. Your words cut so deep. I had tried to get over you when you called me ignorant,” you said, spitting the last word out bitterly. “But I couldn’t. My heart forgives you faster than my brain wants to.”

He took another step closer to you. “Do you know what I smelled?”

“Pot roast and butterbeer?” you offered. 

“No,” he answered with a chuckle, shaking his head. “Cherry blossoms. Poppy flowers. Palo santo. Ebony.” He had taken another step closer to you with each item. 

You felt your face burn. He had just listed off the scents of your perfume. You looked up at his face now that he was standing directly in front of you. 

“That’s all I could smell. And it’s all that I smell right now.”

“So I should read into how you signed the letters with ‘love,’” you said nervously.

With a smile, he put a hand under her chin gently and leaned in to kiss her. It was soft, gentle and only lasted a moment. But it said everything written in Sebastian’s letters, the ones he sent and the ones that landed on the floor in Feldcroft. It was two kindred souls reconnecting after a brutal severing and you both knew that it was only the beginning. 

[choccy-milky]

Sebastian x my MC at the yule ball 💖 ((from the newest chap of my fanfic, which you can read here!))

[pluvpluvpluv]

Study Break

18+ || MDNI || Content Warnings: SMUT, characters aged up, established relationship, language, praise kink, thigh riding, lil bit of breeding kink, semi public sex I think that covers it all

Word Count: 1480 exactly

Sebastian Sallow x f!MC

A/N: Happy Thirsty Thursday :) This was written in one sitting and not edited at all. I read through it once before going “yeah post it”

~~~

MC was ready for summer. Summer meant NEWTs were done and she could take a month or so off to celebrate and relax before diving headfirst into her next adventure. She had spent the last two summers under an apprenticeship with Fatima Lawang, making the trip from Feldcroft to Keenbridge every day to study and learn business from someone she truly looked up to. She would be opening a small apothecary in the hamlet she now called home. It was a wonderful location, since she knew Bernard really stuck to selling beast byproducts and plants. She wouldn’t be encroaching on his market, and she could also source ingredients from him. It was going to be, thankfully, a mutually beneficial existence.

She had moved to Feldcroft at the end of their fifth year. Sebastian had nowhere else to live over the summer months, she really had nowhere to live over that time, and neither wanted to be alone. So, when that first year had come to an end, she just followed him home. He had started courting her about halfway through that summer. She had accepted and they had practically lived together like a married couple ever since.

Before she could get to the summer and enjoy her newfound freedom with the love of her life, she had to pass the NEWTs. In order to get her apothecary license, she needed to score high in Potions and Herbology at the very least, but that wasn’t going to be enough for her. The reputation of saving the wizarding world at fifteen years old meant she was expected to do exceedingly well on all of her NEWTs, and she was determined to do so.

She had taken up residence in one of the more secluded corners of the library. It always ensured that MC wouldn’t have to share the table and she could have all of her books open and spread out. Only a select few people knew of where she hid out to study, which limited the interruptions. Except in the case of her boyfriend.

She didn’t know how long she had really been studying when Sebastian finally sat beside her. She didn’t even look up from rereading a paragraph she had already read ten times before. She still retained nothing.

“MC. Love, you missed lunch. I brought you some food.”

“Thanks Bash. I’ll eat it in a minute. I just need to understand what this page is saying.”

He set the plate down and moved the book.

“Considering it’s well past lunch and I didn’t even see you at breakfast, I think you can’t understand the page because you’re hungry. Eat and take a break.”

MC glared at him, debating whether or not it would be worth the argument since they were both the most stubborn person the other had met. That train of thought was interrupted by a rather loud growl as she was betrayed by her own stomach. She ate the food that he brought her without further complaint.

While she ate, Sebastian sat beside her and scanned over the tomes she had laid out on the table. She was paying more attention to him instead. The way that his eyebrows furrowed when he was focused on a paragraph in one of the books and the way his lips moved silently with the words. She focused on his hands as he turned the page and the way that the muscles in his exposed forearms flexed even with that small movement. She could feel herself growing hotter by the second, and it led to the realization that she and Sebastian hadn’t been intimate in nearly three weeks. It could’ve been a record, honestly. Even before he was courting her, after they took each other’s virginities that first summer in Feldcroft, they hardly went more than a couple days without going after each other. The joys of two students living with no chaperone.

“I can feel you staring holes in the side of my head, MC. Have you finished eating? Do you want me to read to you to see if that helps you understand the material better?”

The way he cared for her had also always been one of her favorite things. She had never been good at keeping herself in check, but Sebastian always did his best to make sure she didn’t overextend herself.

“I—uh it’s mostly gone. But I was thinking about something else.”

“Were you? Care to share with the class, darling?”

“I could use your help. Just in a different way.”

He looked at her curiously for a moment before it seemed he registered the look on her face and his expression grew more heated.

“Have you been thinking too much? Do you want to turn that brilliant brain off for a minute?”

His tone was condescending, and while it would normally agitate her when he spoke to her that way, this time it felt different. She nodded slowly, her eyes not leaving his own while a smirk grew on his face.

“Do you remember over the winter holiday, you told me about how one of the girls had talked about grinding on a pillow when she didn’t want to do things herself and I made you do it for me? We don’t have a pillow here, but I bet I could have you grinding on something else and feeling as good as you did that night. Come sit on my thigh, darling. We’ll see if you can ride me like you rode that pillow. Maybe you’ll make just as big a mess on me.”

As she settled in on his lap, she was grateful she had opted for a skirt instead of one of the few outfits she had with pants. The back of the skirt that draped over her boyfriend’s knee would hopefully help hide what they were doing if anyone were to stumble back and find them.

She gave an experimental roll of her hips, and she felt Sebastian’s thigh flex beneath her. MC let out a shaky exhale as she did it again. The thin fabric of her knickers and the coarse fabric of Sebastian’s quidditch pants provided the most delicious friction to her clit. Sebastian’s large hands settled on her hips beneath her skirt, the feel of his fingertips on her bare skin lighting her nerves on fire.

“Make sure you stay quiet. Don’t need anyone hearing how I’m helping you study,” his voice purred, the effect going straight to her core.

As she grew more confident, her pace picked up. Sebastian helped, tensing his thigh and slightly pushing her hips down when she rolled them to make sure that the bundle of nerves she was focused on didn’t go a second without feeling something.

“That’s it, darling. Use me. Grind that needy little cunt on my thigh.”

MC gasped softly, biting her lip as the familiar tension in her lower stomach began to build. She was able to keep her volume down, but she couldn’t keep herself from whining and whimpering completely.

“Bash. Oh gods. I-I’m~”

“Keep going, darling. I can feel how bad you need it. That pretty pussy is drooling through my trousers. You’re making such a mess for me, my good girl. Go on. Cum on my thigh. You can do it, honey.”

With his encouragement and permission, she felt herself giving into the pleasure as her orgasm hit. Her hips stuttered, but Sebastian kept her in rhythm. She registered his low moan too, her chest heaving as she started to come down from her high.

MC’s hand moved to where she assumed she’d find Sebastian’s bulge, hard and aching for the attention she wanted to give it. Instead, her hand landed on a warm, wet patch on the front of his trousers.

“Sebastian Sallow,” she spoke his name low and soft, her frazzled brain slowly putting the pieces together as she looked up at him. “You came in your pants. Untouched. Because of me?”

The boy’s freckled cheeks flooded with color as he blushed. Her normally suave boyfriend seemed embarrassed by this turn of events.

“I may have. You didn’t see yourself. Or hear yourself for that matter. I didn’t realize it was going to happen until it just…happened.”

“That is one of the hottest things you’ve ever done. If we can sneak down to the library floo flame without getting caught, we can make it to the ROR. And I can give you something else to cum in.”

He let out a dark chuckle, looking at her with blown pupils.

“You think this is a game, MC? Hmm? Merlin, I’m gonna get you so fucking pregnant.”

Her eyes widened, and she couldn’t stop the giggle that fell from her lips. She was still giddy as she pulled him down the stairs and towards the floo flame on the back wall.

Thank Merlin for study breaks.

[shadowtriovibes]

mind if i move in closer?

Pairing: Sebastian Sallow x f!MC

Word Count: 2.8k

Rating: PG

Summary: sickeningly sweet christmas fic, loosely a continuation of the potioneer's apprentice (not necessary to have read to read this!)

“Do you want to borrow my scarf?” you ask him, teasingly preening as he glances over his shoulder at your new accessory. “It’s charmed to keep you warm.” Sebastian frowns. “Who sent you that? Ominis?” “No,” you say, throwing one of the scarf’s long ends across your shoulder. “Just this handsome fellow in Hogsmeade who’s grown quite fond of me.”

December 25, 1891

Christmas morning at Hogwarts is a surprisingly quiet affair.

Having spent many of your formative Christmas mornings in a Muggle boarding school before arriving at Hogwarts, you’ve grown accustomed to waking up to the sounds of eager whispers and excited squeals as the handful of holiday holdovers awoke to find a small array of presents laid out for them. Gifts were usually provided by the kindly heads of house who’d remained at the school during the break – many of whom were just as lonely as the children they watched.

A few oranges and sweets here and there, some secondhand books, perhaps a wooden puzzle for them all to share… It was always lovely, even during leaner years.

Of course, Christmas at Hogwarts was spectacular – massive fir trees decorated with floating baubles and shining ribbons lined the corridors, beautiful music drifted down from the Bell Tower, and the annual feast on Christmas Eve teemed with seemingly endless platters of food.

Your first holiday season at Hogwarts hadn’t been lonely at all. With Ranrok still at large and dozens of poacher camps causing trouble throughout the Highlands, many students chose to spend their Christmas at Hogwarts rather than risking the lengthy train ride back to London or hiking out to their family homes in nearby hamlets.

This year, however, there were only two Slytherins who remained in the castle over the winter break: you and Sebastian.

While the two of you had each been quietly pleased to learn that the other would be staying, you’d both been surprised to learn that even Ominis would be departing to spend Christmas with his family, per their demand. Before he left, he’d darkly insisted that he’d bet a fistful of Galleons that he’d be back before New Year’s Day if his brothers had anything to say about it.

While Ominis sulked, Sebastian had been the one to explain to you that the older pure blood families, many of whom shared your house, are especially traditional during the holidays.

Or, as he’d so bluntly put it, “All the posh ones will be traveling somewhere warmer, and even the snooty half-bloods don’t want to leave their little sprogs here with all the orphans and the impoverished.”

“That’s lovely,” you grumbled.

He’d merely shrugged and smirked, “At least we’ll have the run of the place.”

Christmas Eve dinner, at least, had been fairly lively thanks to a handful of younger Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors who delighted in joining hands and pulling open wizard crackers. Sebastian had insisted you keep the wizard’s chess set he’d received, as yours had contained a live turtle dove that had promptly flown off to roost in the rafters.

(Professor Black, who had also stayed over the holidays, declined Professor Weasley’s invitation to join the holdovers in the Great Hall, which Sebastian insists was the best gift he could have possibly received.)

The pair of you spent the rest of the evening in the common room, taking turns sipping from a bottle of spiced apple brandy Sebastian had managed to charm out of Sirona’s hands during your last trip to Hogsmeade. By the time you’d wobbled up the stairs to the seventh-year dormitories, you’d been unable to stop giggling while Sebastian walked you to your door.

“Get some rest,” he’d laughed, his cheeks flushed red from the alcohol. “Father Christmas can’t bring you presents if you’re still awake, can he?”

“Father Christmas, hm?” you ask, rolling your eyes. “It’s just the two of us, Sebastian. I think he’ll pass over the Slytherin common room this year.”

Something secret sparkled in his eyes, but he said nothing as you opened the door to your room.

Just as you’d turned around to say goodnight, Sebastian leaned in close and pressed a quick kiss to your cheek.

“Happy Christmas,” he mumbled. “See you in the morning.”

Before you could even exhale, he’d quickly made his way up the opposite steps to his room and firmly shut his door behind him. You felt warm all over as you’d changed into your nightwear and climbed into bed – not just from the brandy, you’re sure.

But when you wake up… There’s nothing but silence.

The fire across the room is muted with its usual silencing charms, the popping and cracking of the firewood kept quiet while you slept. There are no roommates eager to open gifts, no smells of Christmas treats like roasted ham or cinnamon pastries cooking in the dormitory kitchens down the hall, which you’d cherished in your old schools.

…But at the foot of your bed, you find a small pile of presents.

You smile to yourself as you sit up and rub your eyes, half expecting the delicate boxes wrapped in bright paper and gently curling ribbons to dissolve away as your vision comes into focus. When they remain, you dare to gingerly pull one into your lap, tracing your fingertips over the crisp paper wrappings.

The first parcel is from Augustus Hill, who’d sent over a fine woolen scarf charmed to remain warm and dry even if it collects falling snowflakes that melt against its magical heat. It’s a deep forest green and is wonderfully soft, and you can’t resist wrapping it across your shoulders as you reach for a second gift.

From your potions master Parry Pippin, you receive a fine set of measuring spoons made of polished copper – much more attractive and precise than the brushed pewter spoons you’d ordered from a supply shop in Diagon Alley.

Professor Weasley had even gifted you a box of stationery supplies that contained a set of quills, a few rolls of parchment, and even a pot of ink. A practical gift to be sure, but thoughtful (and quite generous, you think).

Your favorite gift is from Ominis, who’d sent a box of French candies with magical molten centers from a wizarding confectionary shop in Paris, where his family always visits for the holidays. Inside he’d tucked a note insisting that Sebastian had been sent his own box as well and you were not to let him coax you into sharing yours. You’d fondly rolled your eyes before pinning it to your ever-growing collection of correspondences affixed to the wall beside your bed.

Of course, you can’t resist treating yourself to a piece of candy or two while you change into a simple dressing robe and freshen yourself in the wash basin beside the fireplace. One tastes like cherries and brings a delightful pink flush to your cheeks and lips, and the other tastes like nougat and makes you whistle like a songbird while you pull back your hair into a loose braid.

By the time you wander downstairs, Sebastian is already poking at the common room fireplace, cursing under his breath.

“Happy Christmas, Seb,” you call out, tucking your dressing robe tighter around your waist.

“Happy Christmas,” he mumbles distractedly. “It’s bloody freezing in here.”

You smile to yourself as you take a seat on the cozy settee across from the fireplace. Sebastian has managed to rustle up some extra firewood, undoubtedly from one of the empty boys’ dormitories, to ward off the chill of the common room.

“Do you want to borrow my scarf?” you ask him, teasingly preening as he glances over his shoulder at your new accessory. “It’s charmed to keep you warm.”

Sebastian frowns. “Who sent you that? Ominis?”

“No,” you say, throwing one of the scarf’s long ends across your shoulder. “Just this handsome fellow in Hogsmeade who’s grown quite fond of me.”

To your delight, Sebastian’s frown deepens. “What? Who?”

“Oh, you’ve met him,” you answer, feigning indifference. “He’s rather posh, very stylish, always dressed impeccably… You and I saved him from a troll once, if you recall.”

Sebastian bites the inside of his cheek to keep from grinning when he finally catches wind of your little ruse. “Ah, I see. Just playing one of your little games with me.”

“You make it far too easy,” you tease him, unraveling your scarf and gently draping it across his broad shoulders. “There, that ought to warm you up.”

(Immediately your mind starts to wander off as it conjures up images of how else you might warm up your unfairly handsome friend, but you’re quick to chastise it into silence.)

“You’re too kind, love,” he says, that ever-present smirk still on his lips.

Both of you are silent for several long moments while you hang on to the ends of the scarf, staring up into his warm brown eyes. His gaze dips down to your mouth when you bite your lip, and just as you’re about to ask him if he’d like to walk you to the Great Hall for breakfast, he blurts out, “I have a gift for you.”

“You – a gift?” you ask dumbly. “For me?”

“Of course,” he says softly. “Er, I should warn you that it’s nothing big, but… I wanted you to have it, so…”

He trails off quietly, fidgeting with the sleeve of his robe.

“I have a gift for you too,” you admit. “I left it upstairs. Can I go get it for you?”

“S-sure,” he stutters. “You bought me a gift?”

“Don’t be daft, Sallow,” you tease him. “I made you a gift.”

With that you turn on your heel and march back up the stairs to your dormitory, snagging the delicate potion bottle shaped like a cloud with an indigo ribbon wrapped around its neck. You gingerly turn it over in your hands, watching as the light purple draught inside swirls around languidly.

Downstairs, Sebastian waits for you with a small box tucked behind his back. He looks slightly nervous, you think, so you decide to offer him your gift first.

“Alright,” you say as you take a seat. “First, let me just say that I had Mister Pippin check this to make sure I did everything right, and he said it’s perfectly fine.”

(In fact, Pippin had said you’d done a brilliant job, but you don’t want to oversell yourself before Sebastian has had a chance to try your brew.)

Sebastian eyes the glass bottle as you offer it to him, gently turning it over in his hands.

“You made this?” he asks softly, and then he grins and asks, “Did Weasley help you at all? Because I already learned my lesson with his ‘Fizzing Whizzbeer,’ thank you very much.”

“No,” you insist, biting back a laugh as you remember Sebastian chugging a bottle of Garreth’s experimental brew and being stuck levitating a few feet above the ground for an entire afternoon. “No, I made this just for you.”

“What’s it do?” he asks curiously.

“Well, it’s… it’s a sleeping draught, sort of,” you say softly. “It’s got lavender for comfort, and valerian springs for restful sleep, but I added cinnamon and a bit of shrivelfig to create peaceful dreams.”

Sebastian slowly tips the bottle back and forth, watching the thin liquid dance around the bottle. “Peaceful, hm?”

You’ve known about his nightmares for a while now. He doesn’t like to talk about them often, but he’s admitted that since that day in the Catacombs, he’s hardly slept a full night without being plagued by visions of those damned Inferi, of his uncle’s limp body, of Anne’s face…

The bleary eyes and wan expression he sometimes wears to breakfast after a particularly hard night tell you everything you needed to know, and you’ve spent the last several weeks visiting Hogsmeade after class to work with Mister Pippin to create your own special draught. Not dreamless sleep, but better sleep.

“I just thought… that you deserve to have some good dreams,” you mumble.

The corner of Sebastian’s mouth quirks up. “I do have good dreams, sometimes.”

(You miss the way he glances over at you, raking his gaze down the length of your body. You miss how it lingers where your dressing robe has fallen open a bit, showing off the delicate neckline of the thin chemise you’re wearing underneath.)

“O-oh,” you stammer. “W-well, I suppose now you can… have more.”

You frown disappointedly until Sebastian rests his warm hand on your knee, gently holding the bottle against his chest with his other.

“Thank you,” he says. “Really, I can’t believe you made this just for me. Merlin, it’s… it’s a perfect gift.”

His gaze is heated, and intense, and something about it makes you want to squirm, so instead you breathily ask, “May I have my gift?”

Sebastian holds your gaze as he slowly nods, only letting it break it when he turns to grab the box he’d hidden behind himself. With trembling hands you lift the lid to find a small silver badge inside, reverently tucked inside a nest of tissue paper.

Your hands go still.

“Sebastian, is – is this…?” you whisper.

“My family’s crest,” he murmurs. “You’ve seen it once before, in our fifth year.”

Gently, you lift the crest out of the box and cradle it in your hands. The heat from your skin quickly starts to warm the cool metal, and you trace your fingertips over the “S” hammered into the center of the badge.

“What – how–” you stutter.

“Earlier this year, Anne sent it back to me,” he explains softly, watching with dark eyes as you pour over the symbols that adorn the crest: a cauldron, a flowering tree, a pair of crossed daggers, and a crescent moon.

“Why?” you whisper.

“I’m still not sure,” Sebastian says hollowly. “She just sent the crest, with no letter. But if I had to guess, I think… I think she wanted me to know that she’s safe, but not where she is. Not yet.”

You clutch the crest against your breast. “Oh, Sebastian…”

“It’s okay,” he says, his voice going rough. “It’s – that’s what it’s for, the crest. I gave it to her to keep her safe, and she gave it back to… to tell me that she’s alright. If that’s all she wants me to know, then… then it’s enough.”

You shift closer to him on the couch, the flickering fire casting dancing shadows along the side of his face.

“Why are you giving it to me?” you ask him curiously. “It’s beautiful, Sebastian, but – isn’t it important to you? To your family?”

He swallows nervously. “I don’t… have a family anymore. Not really. Anne is out there somewhere, safe without me, but… you and Ominis, you’re my only family now.”

You let the crest fall to your lap before you throw your arms around Sebastian, burying your face against that warm scarf of yours he’s still wearing. You don’t have the words to say how much this gift means to you, but you think he understands when he wraps his arms around you, skimming one of his large palms up and down the length of your back.

“It kept Anne safe, and – and now it will keep you safe,” he murmurs. “I don’t… I’m not sure you understand how much you mean to me. I need you to be safe.”

“S’bst’n,” you mumble into his shoulder. “Y’re m’vry’th’n.”

He laughs softly and asks, “Sorry, what was that?”

You pull back just enough to press your lips against the shell of his ear, knowing that if you meet his eyes you’ll never have the courage to tell him how you’ve truly felt about him since your fifth year.

“I said, ‘Sebastian, you’re my everything.’”

Then the hand he’d cupped around the back of your head slides down, down, until he nudges his thumb along your jaw to coax you out of your little hiding place. His eyes are so dark, and the soft whine he lets out before he crushes his lips to yours is all the warning you get, but then… then he’s kissing you.

“Seb,” you gasp into his mouth, and then he lightly tugs on the tie around your waist until you shift yourself halfway onto his lap. It feels like hours go by just like that, just the two of you alternating between lazy, curious kisses and frantic, needy surges every time one of you lets slip another heated confession.

“I’ve wanted to do this for so long.”“You taste incredible.”“I don’t ever want to stop doing this.”

Eventually, you let your head rest on Sebastian’s shoulder while he trails soft kisses from the hinge of your jaw down to your shoulder and back. He’s ravenous, he’d told you himself, but it’s not until his stomach growls loudly between your bodies that you even remember that other type of hunger.

“We’ll miss breakfast if we don’t leave soon,” you whine.

“Let’s stay here,” he murmurs against your neck. “We can eat those chocolates you got from Ominis for breakfast.”

“That’s… tempting,” you sigh distractedly, and then you pause.

Leaning back, you quirk a brow and ask, “Sorry, the chocolates I got from Ominis?”

“Well, sure,” Sebastian says smoothly. “He sent me a book on cursebreaking, but I can taste fancy chocolate on your lips, so I assumed…”

“You filthy liar, Sebastian Sallow,” you laugh, throwing your head back. “He warned me you’d try to talk me out of my sweets!”

“To be fair, that’s hardly the only thing I’ll try to talk you out of,” he drawls, sliding his hands down to your hips. “Namely this robe of yours…”

“Scoundrel,” you croon, leaning down for another hungry kiss.

(Ominis’ chocolates make a decent breakfast, even if half of them melt by the fire, ignored entirely while Sebastian makes good on his suggestion regarding your robe.)

[ravenelyx]

Hello! Do you take requests? If so I have oke for you :)

It’s similar to the recent one about Sebastian hugging the reader. Could it be with Omi this time?

I love your writings, btw.

I absolutely can !!! And thank you so much ♡♡

Let me in. - Ominis Gaunt

Pairing: Ominis Gaunt x Fem!Reader

Words: 1k

Warnings: fluff, kissing, angst and comfort, Ominis is touch-starved, Ominis is insecure, neck kissing, fuck the Gaunt family all my homies hate the Gaunt family, we all know Omi's past, cuddling and snuggling, House is not specified, (implied) established relationship

Summary: Ominis Gaunt has never learned how to love. But he has you, and you're willing to teach him.

A/N: I hope you like this!! I followed a different tangent than Sebastian's.

Masterlist

you can find the whole fic here on ao3 as well

Sebastian's version

He wishes love were easy.

But nothing had ever been easy in Ominis Gaunt's life.

When he opened his heart to her, he opened something deep. A Pandora box of sorrow and grief and everything he'd buried so deep he'd forgotten about it.

Unfortunately, his body never forgets. It shows when she takes his hand. It unleashes when she brushes his hair. That gnawing, scorching flame burning where her touch remains.

She asks him how he's doing, he doesn't answer, words trapped behind his teeth like in a prison of jelly and guilt. He thinks she doesn't really want to be bothered by his problems.

She takes his hand while walking, he moves it away, clutching it to his chest in an attempt to build back that armor she threatens to break every time.

"Ominis," she speaks quietly in the night, when he keeps her always at an arm's distance. "Please, come here."

He wants to cry.

"I don't know how."

The smell of her hair lingers on the pillow when she leaves, and he quietly brings it to him, burying his face in the softness of her girly perfume. Even then, he feels too much freedom; taking up a space that isn't his own. He turns his back to it.

She seems tired today.

"Ominis." Her voice is weary, sad. She's near the fireplace, brooding. He feels like he's done something wrong.

"What is it?"

He balks before approaching her, his voice coming out in a sycophantic squeak that makes his blood run cold. He is afraid: afraid she'll find him some day. That she'll offer her hand and he'll take it with no qualms, allowing her to pull him up, away from those doubts cramming his mind when she gets too close.

"Why do you never let me in?"

He's drowning.

Why? Why? The answer is immediate, pulled right from his brain by that tight awareness that has always been more of a curse than a blessing. Because Ominis Gaunt feels that he is phrogging in other people's existence until they get tired and throw him into the nearest garbage. Because he has never found a place where he could sit down, wind his legs and feel at peace. Because if one day someone finds him with his defenses down, when he hits the bottom of the bin headfirst, he will never forgive himself.

"I don't know how." His inveterate answer comes, drawing a sigh from her. She always drops the subject after, and he feels safe.

This time, she breaches the armor again, and he has got no time to glue it back.

"Come here."

His hands tremble when he follows, sitting down next to her. She opens her palm to him and he feels it on his leg.

"Take it."

Her fingers feel soft to the touch, slipping between his as if filling up a space in his heart he had missed, pushing back his doubts and making a home for itself. He holds her hand and runs his thumb on her knuckles.

"What does this mean?" He asks feebly.

"That you can do much more."

He feels the corner of his lips push down in a grimace. "I don't know h—"

"I'll show you."

Her movements are languid and elegant like a snake, and he feels like she might strangle him and cut his breath and leave him for dead. But he wants to keep holding her hand.

"What do I do?"

"Come here."

This time, he listens.

She lets him move first, wrap his arms around her, as if testing her shape. He runs his hands over her delicate ribs, then down to the soft curve of her waist, then around her; feels the weight in his arms, like she could crush him at any moment. But she doesn't.

She lets him pull her on him, giving him her body. His hands are shaking and he feels inadequate to hold her; to keep her safe and not let her fall.

"Just do what feels right," she whispers.

None of this feels right. But it feels comfortable, and it feels different, and it feels like his heart is slowing down and his weight is meeting the ground and pushing against it like he will never need to get up anymore.

And there are her lips. He feels them with his fingertips; the curve at the top, the soft flesh, the sticky texture of her lipstick. He brings his trembling mouth to hers for the first time and pulls away just as quickly.

"I'm sorry…" he almost cries again.

"Do it again."

He swallows and pushes his lips against hers. He doesn't have the courage to move and breathes against her mouth.

She giggles and his heart breaks, because of course he was doing it wrong. "I'm sorr—"

Her mouth moves against his, takes his bottom lip in a quick suckle and then frees it again. He holds his breath until he can't stay still anymore.

"How does that feel?" she asks.

"More…"

Something inside him cracks open at her taste, pushes and pulls and crushes him, and he holds on to her. It's all too much and it's all not enough. He licks his lips and tastes her lipstick and he wishes he could see her.

When she cups his cheek, he flinches.

"This feels…"

Horrible. Good. Terrifying. Perfect. Different.

"We can go slow," she says, and it's more than he could ask for. "But I'm here, and I'm yours."

He nods and attempts to find her, and he presses his forehead against her collarbone. She's warm there.

"Thank you," He's crying against her skin, and she skims her hand against his back.

He feels naked, a brush of cold hair against his chest where his defenses have cracked. She's pulling his armor down with a gentle touch, and he lets her until he hears it hit the ground loudly.

"You can relax now." He thinks he hears her say. Perhaps it was a dream. And when he hesitantly brushes his lips against her skin, he allows her in.