#hogwarts sebastian

[writingsoftarnishedsilver]

Whiskey and What-Ifs | Sebastian Sallow x OC #20

warning: emotional rollercoaster ahead

Summary: At the end-of-year celebration at Leander's farm, the night unfolds with drunken games, tension, and an almost-confession from Sebastian, leaving Evangeline wondering if there was truth behind his teasing words. The evening turns sour when Sebastian’s reckless behavior shatters Evangeline’s fragile hopes.

Words: 8,382

Tags: Slow Burn, Friends to Lovers, Jealousy, Unspoken Feelings, Angst, End-of-Year Celebration, Hurt/No Comfort, Drunken Shenanigans, Almost Confession

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The warm, golden light of early summer stretched across the rolling fields of Leander’s family farm. The end-of-year celebration was in full swing, with groups of students lounging on hay bales and picnic blankets scattered across the lawn. Jars of fireflies were strung between the wooden beams of the nearby barn, glowing softly as the sun dipped lower in the sky. Music floated through the air from a charmed gramophone perched on a barrel, and the scent of grilled sausages and roasted vegetables wafted from a table laden with food.

Evangeline stood at the edge of the crowd, nervously tugging at the hem of her dress—a soft, deep green sundress with a fitted bodice that flared out slightly at her hips. It wasn’t anything she’d have chosen herself; Natty and Cressida had insisted she wear it, practically ganging up on her in the dorms earlier that day.

“Come on, Evie,” Cressida had said, holding the dress up against her with a gleam of determination in her eye. “It’s perfect for tonight! And you do own it, so it’s about time you actually wore it.”

Natty had nodded in agreement, her tone encouraging but firm. “You’ll look stunning, I promise. This cut will show off your waist, and the color is absolutely perfect with your complexion. Besides,” she’d added with a sly grin, “it’s nearly the end of the year. Go out with a little confidence.”

Evie had protested, of course—something about how it was too much or too outside her comfort zone—but by the time her friends were done with her, she was standing in front of the mirror, the soft fabric of the dress hugging her figure just enough to highlight her curves. She had to admit, however grudgingly, that it looked alright.

Now, though, standing at the edge of the party, she felt exposed.

“Evie!” Poppy called, waving her over to a circle of students gathered near the bonfire. “Come on, we’re about to start a drinking game!”

Evie smiled and waved back but didn’t move immediately. Her gaze drifted across the party, landing on a familiar figure leaning against the side of the barn. Sebastian stood with a drink in hand, his shirt sleeves rolled up and his hair slightly tousled. He was laughing at something Garreth had said, his eyes alight with mischief. It was nice, seeing him like this—out of his Slytherin robes, so at ease in the warm glow of the firelight. She quickly looked away, her heart doing an uncomfortable little flip.

“Evie?” a voice broke into her thoughts, and she turned to see Ethan, a Hufflepuff boy from their year, smiling at her. “Haven’t seen you in a while."

Ethan was solid and broad-shouldered, with sandy blond hair that fell just slightly into his green eyes, giving him a boyish charm that most girls in their year found endearing.

Evangeline, however, remained unmoved. Objectively, she could see why others might fancy him, but there was no spark of interest—no fluttering of her heart or warmth creeping up her cheeks. To her, Ethan was just Ethan: friendly, harmless, and perhaps a bit too persistent.

“Excited for exams?” he asked, his tone warm and conversational, but there was a faint nervousness in the way he shifted on his feet. "This'll probably be our last bit of fun before we're all neck deep in parchment and textbooks."

“I’m just ready for them to be over," she said, a polite smile tugging at her lips.

Ethan chuckled, his easygoing laugh ringing out over the sounds of the party. “Aren’t we all? Though I bet you don’t have much to worry about. You’ve probably got top marks in Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Meanwhile, I’ll be lucky if I don’t blow up another cauldron.”

Evangeline gave a soft laugh, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m sure you’ll do fine. Professor Sharp can be... intimidating, but his bark is far worse than his bite.”

“That’s reassuring,” Ethan replied, flashing her another smile that lingered just a second too long. “Maybe next term I should partner up with you. I could use someone to keep me in line.”

His tone was light, but the way he leaned ever so slightly closer made her stomach twist. She glanced away, hoping to deflect. “Well, Sharp might not appreciate me pulling double duty as a babysitter., considering I need to keep an eye on Garreth too.”

Ethan laughed, not deterred. “Fair enough. Besides, I wouldn’t want to distract you from your own brilliance.”

Evangeline tried not to cringe. She managed a polite smile but didn’t respond, glancing toward the bonfire where her friends were gathered. Natty caught her eye, raising an eyebrow in a way that clearly said, Do you need rescuing? And Evie gave the smallest shake of her head, though her unease remained.

“You know,” Ethan continued, oblivious to her discomfort, “You look... really nice tonight, Evie.”

Her cheeks warmed, but not for the reasons Ethan might have hoped. Compliments like that always made her feel uncomfortable, like she was suddenly on display. “Thanks,” she murmured, her voice soft. “That’s kind of you.”

“It’s not kindness,” he said, stepping just a fraction closer. “Just honesty.”

Across the yard, Sebastian’s eyes narrowed as he watched. He couldn’t hear their conversation over the hum of chatter and the crackle of the bonfire, but he didn’t need to. The way Ethan’s posture tilted slightly toward her, the deliberate smile on his face, the soft blush on Evie’s cheeks—it all painted a picture Sebastian didn’t want to see.

He scoffed, taking a sip of his drink. Of course Ethan would try his luck tonight. The end-of-year celebration had everyone feeling nostalgic and bold, the perfect excuse for ill-timed confessions.

“Seb,” Garreth said, snapping him out of his thoughts. “You’ve been glaring at them for ages. What’s got your robes in a twist?”

Sebastian scoffed, straightening up and tossing back the rest of his drink. “I’m not glaring. It’s just embarrassing, watching him fumble around like that. He’s not even subtle.”

“Embarrassing for him or for you?” Garreth asked, a teasing grin spreading across his face.

“Shut up, Weasley,” Sebastian muttered, his tone sharper than intended as his gaze drifted back to Evangeline. She was nodding along, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her dress while Ethan leaned in, saying something that made her laugh softly. That laugh, paired with the way her dark hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders and the warm firelight brushed across her skin, had Sebastian’s stomach twisting.

Then there was the dress—that deep green sundress that clung to her waist before flaring out, its simplicity somehow making her look even more striking. It obviously wasn’t the first time he’d seen Evangeline in something other than her uniform, but tonight felt different. She looked... stunning, though the word felt dangerous the moment it crossed his mind. And Ethan, of course, had noticed as well.

Sebastian forced his attention back to Garreth, his smirk a little too forced. “He’s wasting his time,” he muttered, “She’s not interested.”

Garreth tilted his head, watching Sebastian with a knowing look. “You sure about that?”

“I know Evie better than anyone,” Sebastian said firmly, his tone sharper than he intended. “She’s not into blokes like him.”

Garreth raised his hands in surrender, his grin widening. “Alright, alright. Whatever helps you sleep at night, mate.”

Sebastian ignored him, turning his attention back to the bonfire, watching as Evie leaned back slightly, a hand brushing a stray lock of hair from her face as Ethan said something else, drawing another smile.

“Seb,” Garreth called, nudging him with an elbow. “Earth to Sallow. Are you going to keep brooding all night, or are you actually going to enjoy yourself?”

“I’m fine,” Sebastian replied tersely, stalking over to the drinks table and grabbing himself another glass, "We gonna play whiskey pong?"

Garreth followed, still grinning as he grabbed a drink of his own. “You’re on. Though I’d say you’ve already got a head start, mate. You’ve been downing those like it’s a competition. Trying to give me an easy win?"

Sebastian shrugged, pouring himself a generous serving. “Keep dreaming, Weasley.”

The two joined a group already gathered around the makeshift whiskey pong setup, a long wooden table with a pyramid of cups at each end. The rules were simple: toss the ball into a cup, make your opponent drink. It was just the kind of distraction Sebastian needed—something to channel his frustration into and keep his mind off Evangeline and Ethan.

As the game went on, Sebastian’s usual confidence came roaring back. His competitive streak flared as he sank shot after shot, his smirk growing with every triumphant cheer from the surrounding crowd. For a while, he managed to forget the lingering jealousy gnawing at the edges of his thoughts.

But every now and then, his gaze would drift back to the bonfire, where Evangeline sat with her friends. She was smiling now, leaning close to Natty as they whispered and laughed about something he couldn’t hear. She looked at ease, and the sight of her like that—happy, unguarded—made his chest tighten.

“Your turn, Sallow,” Garreth called, snapping him out of his thoughts.

Sebastian lined up his shot, forcing himself to focus. The ball arced through the air, sinking neatly into a cup on Garreth’s side of the table. The surrounding crowd erupted into cheers, and Sebastian flashed a smug grin as Garreth groaned and reached for the cup.

“Drink up, Weasley,” Sebastian said, his tone dripping with mock sympathy. “Looks like I’m on a roll.”

“Enjoy it while it lasts, mate. Your luck’s about to run out.” Garreth muttered, but there was no real bite to his words. He drained the cup in one go, slamming it down on the table with a flourish.

Sebastian smirked, raising his glass in a mock toast. “We’ll see about that.”

The whiskey pong continued, the night growing hazier with every drink. By the time Sebastian finally claimed victory, his earlier edge of irritation had dulled into something quieter, more manageable. But as he stepped away from the game and glanced toward the bonfire once more, his brow furrowed.

Evangeline was missing.

He scanned the crowd, his chest tightening slightly despite himself. Where had she gone?

“Looking for someone?” Ominis's voice cut through his thoughts.

Sebastian turned sharply, his smirk faltering as he met his friend's smug expression.

“No,” Sebastian replied quickly.

Ominis raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking into a faint, knowing smirk. “Oh, I see. You’re not looking for Evangeline. Well, in that case, you won’t be interested to know that she took a walk toward the pasture. Alone.”

Sebastian’s shoulders tensed, his smirk vanishing entirely. “She—” He cut himself off, quickly schooling his expression into something more neutral. “Why would I care where she went?”

Ominis let out a soft, exasperated sigh, shaking his head. “I don't know. Why would you care?" He shrugged, turning on his heel to walk back towards the party, “I’m sure she’s fine, but if it’ll ease your clearly nonexistent concern, you could always check on her. Just... hypothetically, of course.”

Sebastian hesitated, his eyes flicking toward the direction Ominis had indicated. He could see the faint outline of the pasture under the moonlight, the rolling hills dark against the starry sky.

“Hypothetically,” he muttered under his breath, downing the rest of his drink before setting the empty glass on a nearby barrel. The distant hum of the party faded behind him as he strode toward the pasture, his steps uneven from the whiskey but purposeful all the same.

The air was cooler away from the crowd, and the faint smell of hay mingled with the earthiness of the fields. He spotted her almost immediately, a lone figure standing near the wooden fence that separated the pasture from the rest of the farm. The green of her dress stood out against the dark backdrop, her hair catching the moonlight in a way that made his chest ache.

“Evie,” he called, his voice cutting through the quiet. She turned, her expression briefly startled before she relaxed, her lips curving into a small smile.

“Sebastian,” she replied, her tone light but questioning. “What are you doing out here?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” he countered, leaning against the fence a few feet away from her. “You’ve been missing all the fun.”

She shrugged, her gaze drifting back to the pasture. “Just needed some air."

Sebastian nodded and for a moment, neither of them spoke, the quiet sounds of the countryside filling the space between them.

“You look...” he started, then hesitated, the words catching in his throat.

Evie glanced at him curiously. “What?”

Sebastian cleared his throat, looking away toward the horizon. “You look nice tonight,” he said finally, his voice a touch too casual.

Her cheeks warmed, and she ducked her head. “Thank you. You do too. It’s strange seeing everyone out of their uniforms.”

“Strange good, or strange bad?” he teased, shooting her a sidelong glance.

“Strange good,” Evie replied, a small smile tugging at her lips. “It’s just… different. Feels like we’re playing dress-up or something.”

Sebastian chuckled, though the sound was soft, almost distracted. His gaze flickered to her once more, lingering on the way the moonlight caught the curve of her cheek, the delicate sweep of her collarbone revealed by the dress. The sight stirred something he quickly tried to push aside.

“So,” he said eventually, his tone casual, though his jaw tightened slightly. “Ethan seems... eager tonight.”

Evie blinked, turning to look at him fully. “Ethan?”

“Yeah, you know,” Sebastian said, his smirk returning but lacking its usual edge. “Blond, Hufflepuff, keeps laughing at everything you say like it’s the most brilliant thing he’s ever heard.”

Evie’s brows furrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line. “He’s just being friendly.”

“Friendly,” Sebastian echoed, a faint scoff in his voice. “Right. Because leaning in like that and giving you those puppy-dog eyes is totally platonic.”

Evie sighed, her fingers tightening on the fence. And when she didn't respond right away, Sebastian's chest tightened into a knot, the silence stretching uncomfortably between them. He tried to brush it off, he really did, but the thought of Ethan’s easy grin and the way he’d leaned closer to her made his jaw clench.

“Evie,” Sebastian pressed, his voice quieter now, almost hesitant. “You’re not actually... interested in him, are you?”

She sighed again, looking up at him with that exasperated expression he knew too well. "No, Sebastian," she said,"I’m not interested in Ethan.”

Sebastian exhaled. “Good,” he said, the word slipping out before he could stop it. When Evie raised an eyebrow at him, he quickly added, “I mean, not that it’s any of my business.”

Evie chuckled softly, shaking her head as she turned back to the pasture. "I'm perfectly capable of handling myself, you know."

"I know," Sebastian said quickly, leaning back against the fence with a casual shrug. “But it doesn’t hurt to have backup. Especially when the backup is this charming.”

Evie rolled her eyes, though her lips curved into a faint smile. “Backup. Right. Because Merlin knows Ethan was such a threat.”

“He could’ve been,” Sebastian muttered, just loud enough for her to hear.

She turned to him fully now, her head tilted slightly as she studied him. There was no anger in her gaze, just a quiet curiosity that made him shift under her scrutiny. “You’re really worked up about this, aren’t you?”

“I’m not worked up,” Sebastian lied, crossing his arms defensively. “I’m just—” He hesitated, searching for the right words. “Trying to help."

Evie tilted her head back, her gaze lifting to the stars scattered across the night sky before her eyes met his again.

"...What’s this really about, Sebastian?”

Sebastian froze, caught off guard by the question. Her voice was soft, without accusation, but the weight of it pressed down on him all the same. He forced a smirk, the one he wore like armor in moments like this. “What do you mean? It’s about Ethan. Bloke clearly doesn’t know when to back off.”

Evie didn’t blink, her steady gaze pinning him in place. “No, it’s not,” she said, her tone calm but resolute. “Tell me the truth.”

Sebastian turned his head, looking out at the dark expanse of the pasture. “It’s nothing,” he said, his voice lower now, almost uncertain. “Just... end-of-year stress, maybe.”

“That’s not it either,” Evie countered, her brow furrowing. She stepped a little closer, her voice dropping. “Sebastian, I know you. So... just tell me what’s really going on.”

Sebastian let out a soft, humorless laugh, shaking his head. “You think you know me that well, huh?”

“I do,” she said firmly, her gaze unwavering. “And right now, you’re deflecting.”

He sighed, running a hand through his already-tousled hair. “You’re relentless."

“And you’re avoiding the question,."

She was so close to him now he could see the shimmer of moonlight reflecting in her eyes, smell her perfume curling around him, see the way her chest rose and fell with each breath. And Merlin, he wanted to close the gap between them. The thought struck him with a force that almost made him stagger. He wanted to reach out, to touch her hand resting so lightly on the fence, to pull her closer and finally say everything he’d been holding back. But the fear of ruining everything stopped him cold.

Instead, he swallowed hard, his jaw clenching as he forced his gaze back to the dark expanse of the pasture. “Evie,” he began, his voice quieter now, almost unsteady. “You don’t make this easy, you know that?”

“Make what easy?” she asked softly, her tone curious, almost tender.

Sebastian turned to look at her again, and for a moment, he forgot how to breathe. The struggle inside him was unbearable, the push and pull of his instincts tangling into a knot that refused to loosen. One side screamed for him to deflect, to laugh it off and keep the fragile balance of their friendship intact. The other side—the louder, more reckless side—urged him to just say it, to lay it all out in the open and deal with the fallout later.

“You really want to know what’s going on?” he asked, his voice strained.

Evie nodded.

Sebastian let out a shaky breath, his lips curling into a smirk that was far too forced to be convincing. “Alright,” he said, his tone shifting to something light and teasing, though his heart thundered against his ribs. “If you really must know... I’ve been trying to figure out how to convince you to fall madly in love with me before the year’s out.”

Evie blinked, startled, and for a moment, her expression was unreadable. Then, slowly, her lips curved into a smile, though there was an edge of something she couldn't quite hide.

“Is that so?” she asked, tilting her head slightly, her tone playful but cautious.

Sebastian shrugged, trying desperately to keep his voice casual. “Obviously. I mean, who wouldn’t want to secure the affections of the great Evangeline Sterling? Gryffindor beater extraordinaire, unparalleled in charm and wit...” He trailed off, his smirk faltering. "Seems everyone's trying to, these days."

Evie studied him, her smile lingering but her brow furrowing slightly, as though she was trying to puzzle out whether he was serious or not.

“Well,” she said slowly, her tone matching his lightness despite the hesitation in her posture. “You’ve got your work cut out for you, Sallow. I’m not so easily convinced.”

Sebastian laughed, “Oh, I know,” he said, leaning back against the fence and crossing his arms. “I’ve been planning a campaign—flowers, serenades, maybe even a dramatic duel or two. The works.”

“Dramatic duels, huh?” Evie replied, her lips twitching into a faint smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Seems a bit excessive.”

“With someone like Ethan sniffing around?” Sebastian quipped, raising an eyebrow. “I’d say it’s warranted.”

Evie rolled her eyes, but the mention of Ethan seemed to draw her back into herself, and the quiet between them grew heavy once again.

Sebastian could feel it, the unspoken tension wrapping around them like a thread stretched too tight. His chest ached, his heart pounding with the desperate hope that she’d push him just a little further, that she’d call him out and make him say what he really meant. He wanted her to pry, to break through the mask he’d so carefully put up.

But instead, Evie glanced away, her gaze fixed on the horizon. “Well,” she said softly, almost absently, “I guess I'll... be waiting for those flowers."

Sebastian’s smirk faltered, his stomach twisting as her words hit him harder than they should have. Her voice was light, teasing on the surface, but there was something underneath it that he couldn't quite decipher. And the silence that followed felt heavier than any before it, like a chasm widening between them with every passing second. Sebastian wanted to reach out, to pull her back across it, but he couldn’t seem to make himself move.

“Anyway….” she said at last, straightening and brushing her hands against her dress, “we should probably head back."

“Yeah,” he said, his voice quiet and strained. “Wouldn’t want to miss Garreth's flaming marshmallow stunt.”

Evie gave a faint smile over her shoulder, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Sounds like something worth seeing,” she murmured, her tone light but distant.

She started walking back toward the glow of the bonfire, the soft swish of her dress the only sound between them. Sebastian stayed where he was, watching her retreating figure and feeling the weight of everything he hadn’t said pressing down on him like a curse.

He should have stopped her. He should have said something real, something honest. But instead, he stood there, frozen by his own uncertainty, as the gap between them grew wider with each step she took.

“Coward,” he muttered under his breath, raking a hand through his hair.

As Evie walked back toward the bonfire, the warm glow of the firelight did little to ease the chill that had settled over her. The strange, charged conversation with Sebastian replayed in her mind, each word turning over and over like a puzzle she couldn’t solve. He’d been hiding something—she was certain of that. But what?

The idea that he might actually like her, that his playful comments could have held even a grain of truth, made her chest ache. She could imagine it, just for a moment: Sebastian pining for her, his sharp wit masking a tender longing. The thought sent a flicker of warmth through her, a dangerous kind of hope she quickly pushed aside.

If anything, the whole exchange had been a joke to him, a clever way to dodge her questions while keeping her off balance. And now, as she imagined him laughing at the idea of liking her—of truly liking her—it felt like a sharp jab to the ribs.

Evie’s pace slowed as she neared the edge of the bonfire’s warm glow, her mind spinning with everything Sebastian had said—and everything he hadn’t.

She barely noticed Ominis until he stepped into her path. His expression was calm, but his lips pressed into a line of faint concern.

“You seem... upset.” he said softly, his head tilting as he studied her with that uncanny awareness he always had.

Evie blinked, startled by the directness of his words. “I’m not,” she said quickly, her tone sharper than she intended. “I’m fine.”

Ominis raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “You’re not fine,” he said plainly, his voice devoid of accusation but unyielding. “You’re breathing too quickly, your voice is strained, and you sound about two seconds away from hexing me.”

She sighed, dragging a hand through her hair. “It’s nothing,” she muttered, glancing away. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Ominis took a small step closer, his expression softening just enough to show that he wasn’t going to push her—yet.

“Fair enough,” he said, his tone deceptively light. “But if you’re planning to drink yourself into oblivion tonight, you might as well have company.”

Evie glanced at him, startled. “I’m not—”

“Oh, please,” Ominis interrupted with a faint smirk. “You’ve got that look. The one that says you’re about five minutes away from finding the strongest thing Garreth brought and trying to forget whatever just happened.”

Evie’s lips twitched despite herself, though the smile didn’t quite stick. “And you’re volunteering to keep me company?” she asked, a faint edge of sarcasm in her voice. “Since when do you drink at parties?”

“I don’t,” Ominis admitted, his smirk widening just slightly. “But someone has to make sure you don’t pass out in a field somewhere.”

That earned him a small laugh, quiet but genuine, and Ominis took it as a victory. He extended an arm toward her. “Come on. You can drink, and I’ll sit there looking judgmental. It’s one of my better skills.”

Evie hesitated, her gaze flickering back toward the barn where she’d left Sebastian. Part of her wanted to go find him, to demand answers, to pull the truth out of him no matter how messy it got. But another part—the part that ached the most—knew it would only hurt more.

Finally, she nodded, letting out a slow breath. “Alright,” she said, her voice quieter now.

The bonfire cast flickering shadows across the field as the party wore on, the vibrant hum of conversation and laughter growing looser as drinks continued to flow. Evie now sat on a blanket a short distance from the fire, her knees tucked to her chest and her cheeks warm from the whiskey Ominis had been feeding her.

“You sure you want another?” Ominis asked, his tone skeptical as she reached for another refill. He sat beside her, legs crossed, his wand resting idly on his lap.

“Yes, I’m sure,” Evie said, her words beginning to slur just slightly. “You’re supposed to be my company, not my conscience.”

Ominis let out a resigned sigh, tilting his head toward her as though in warning. “Alright, but don’t say I didn’t try.”

As the warmth of the whiskey settled in her chest, the sharp edges of her earlier conversation with Sebastian blurred into something softer, easier to ignore. The tension in her shoulders loosened, and she leaned back on her hands, watching the firelight dance over the faces of her friends.

By the time the fifth—or was it sixth?—drink found its way into her hand, Evie was giggling at everything Ominis said, even when he wasn’t trying to be funny. She didn’t notice the way Sebastian’s eyes flicked toward her from across the yard, his brow furrowed as he watched her down another glass without hesitation.

“I’m not even drunk,” Evie announced to no one in particular, her voice carrying over the crackling fire. Ominis, unimpressed, arched a brow.

“Right,” he said dryly, “and I’m the Head Boy of Gryffindor.”

Evie swatted his arm lightly, a grin spreading across her face. “You’re no fun, Ominis. You never let loose.”

“That’s because I’m the one keeping you from doing something regrettable,” he replied, his smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

But Ominis couldn’t hold back all of her reckless decisions, and soon, Evie found herself swept up in the growing carelessness of the crowd.

Someone—likely Garreth—had started a drinking game that involved conjuring increasingly ridiculous hats and balancing them on their heads while singing off-key. Evie had passed on the game earlier, but now, with her inhibitions rapidly fading, she looked tempted.

Before Ominis could protest, she'd already pushed herself up, teetering slightly as she joined the circle near the bonfire.

“Evie!” Garreth called, grinning as he conjured a sparkler that fizzled dramatically in his hand. “Your turn to sing! Pick a hat, pick a song!”

Evie giggled, the sound unrestrained and light. She plopped an oversized feathered hat on her head and grinned. “Alright,” she announced grandly, her slurred voice only adding to the humor. “Something... dramatic.”

“Dramatic, she says,” Garreth repeated, “Then give us your best rendition of A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love! Don’t disappoint us, Sterling!”

The crowd erupted into cheers, and before she knew it, Evie was belting out the tune at the top of her lungs, swaying theatrically as the ridiculous hat wobbled precariously on her head. Her friends joined in, the group laughing so hard that they struggled to stay upright.

Watching from the sidelines, Ominis let out a long-suffering sigh, shaking his head. “She’s doomed.”

But Evangeline certainly didn't feel doomed. She felt invincible. The warm haze of whiskey and laughter coursed through her, blurring the edges of her usual reservations. She twirled dramatically, the feathered hat slipping sideways on her head as she gestured with exaggerated flair during the song's most outrageous lines. Her friends' cheers only encouraged her, and she leaned into the silliness, throwing herself into a wobbly curtsy as the final note ended in a flourish.

“Encore! Encore!” Ethan chanted from where he stood across from her, clapping loudly as others joined in.

Evie bowed deeply, nearly tipping over before catching herself on Natty’s shoulder, laughing so hard her cheeks hurt. “Thank you, thank you,” she said grandly, her words slurred but her smile beaming. “But I must retire while I’m still at the peak of my career.”

“More like before you fall on your face,” Natty muttered, steadying her.

Evie giggled again, waving off the concern as she reached for another drink, her inhibitions fully dissolved.

The bonfire crackled on merrily, casting flickering light over the group as they dissolved into more drunken banter. Garreth had somehow procured a half-empty bottle of mead and was regaling everyone with a wildly exaggerated tale of his "near-death" experience during a Potions mishap, complete with flailing arms and dramatic gasps for effect.

"And then—" Garreth paused for emphasis, swaying slightly as he pointed the bottle at Natty, "—the cauldron exploded! I swear, if I hadn’t ducked, I'd've lost my head!"

Cressida rolled her eyes but couldn’t help laughing. “Garreth, I was there, and all that happened was Professor Sharp yelling at you for using dragon scale dust instead of ash.”

“Details!” Garreth declared, throwing his hands up with mock indignation. “The point is, I survived. A true Gryffindor triumph!”

Evie giggled uncontrollably, leaning heavily against Natty for support as she tried to wipe tears of laughter from her eyes. “I think the real triumph is that you’re still allowed near a cauldron,” she teased, her words slurring slightly.

“Careful, Sterling,” Garreth shot back, wagging a finger at her. “I’ll have you know I’m a visionary. And visionaries are often misunderstood.”

“Misunderstood doesn’t mean competent,” Ominis deadpanned from his spot a little ways back, his tone dry as ever.

The group erupted into laughter, Evie’s cackling the loudest of all. She clutched her sides, practically doubled over, and Garreth pouted dramatically.

Ethan, perched on the edge of the blanket with a drink in hand, leaned forward, his grin mischievous. “Now... if we’re going to keep things interesting, maybe it’s time for something more daring.”

“Like what?” Poppy asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

The other Hufflepuff's grin widened, and he leaned back, spreading his arms in mock grandeur. “Body shots!”

The group fell silent for a beat, and then Garreth let out a whoop of laughter. “Ethan, you mad genius,” he said, slapping the other boy on the back. “I knew you were good for something.”

“Merlin’s beard!” Natty exclaimed, smacking Garreth's arm. “Have you lost all sense of decorum?”

“Decorum?” Leander repeated, laughing. “It’s an end-of-year celebration, Natty! Where’s your sense of fun?”

“Somewhere that doesn’t involve whiskey and licking people,” she shot back, but her tone was more amused than offended.

“Body shots,” Evie repeated, the words coming out slow and deliberate as though she was turning them over in her drunken mind. Her brow furrowed, and then she gasped with delight. “Like with the salt and lime and everything?”

Ominis paled. “Evie, no. Absolutely not.”

“Evie, yes!” Garreth declared, grabbing her hand and spinning her in place. “Come on, let’s show Ominis how fun works!”

“No, no, no—” Ominis started, fumbling for her other hand before shouting, “Garreth, stop manhandling her—” as the redhead hoisted Evie over his shoulder.

“You’re coming too, Gaunt,” Garreth teased, “A party’s not a party without your charming wit.”

“I’ll hex you,” Ominis growled, but his threat was cut short as Garreth moved ahead, unable to hear him among the group's laughter.

Sebastian, watching from across the yard, sighed deeply and pinched the bridge of his nose. This was spiraling faster than he’d anticipated, and the sight of Garreth spinning Evie around like a victorious Quidditch trophy was doing absolutely nothing to ease the frustration boiling in his chest.

“Are you going to do something, or just glower all night?” Violet asked, sidling up beside him with a teasing grin.

Sebastian’s jaw tightened as he muttered, “She’s fine.”

“Sure she is,” Violet said, her grin widening. “But you’re not.”

“Evie!” Ominis’s voice cut through the chaos, his exasperation palpable. “I’m serious—don’t you dare—”

But Evangeline Sterling was not listening.

Her cheeks were flushed with a mix of alcohol and laughter, and her eyes sparkled with the kind of reckless abandon that only came with too many drinks and too much encouragement. She grinned as Ethan placed a shot glass in her hand and presented her with a lime wedge like it was some grand prize.

“Alright, alright,” Evie said, holding up the glass like she was about to deliver a toast. “How does this work?”

Ethan grinned broadly, tossing an arm around Evie’s shoulder as if they were partners in some grand conspiracy. “It’s simple. First, someone offers up their belly button as the vessel for the shot.”

Across the yard, Sebastian froze, his drink halfway to his lips as Ethan's words hit him. This wasn’t just another round of drunken whiskey pong like he'd assumed. This was something else entirely—and the idea of Evie participating made his stomach churn uncomfortably.

Meanwhile, Evie's eyes widened, and she burst into laughter. “Their belly button?”

“Yes, ma’am!” Garreth, now joining in on the explanation, replied with mock seriousness as if he’d just revealed some great secret. “A noble tradition, steeped in the ancient rites of drunken debauchery..." Garreth studied the crowd, eyes narrowed until they landed on Ethan.

“And it's only right,” Garreth crowed. “That Ethan go first!"

“Absolutely not,” Ethan protested, his face turning a vivid shade of red as he glanced nervously at Evie, who was still clutching her sides with laughter. “I wasn’t serious!”

“Oh, but we are,” Garreth shot back, his grin widening as the rest of the group cheered and hollered in approval.

Ominis stood stiffly near the edge of the gathering as his frustration visibly mounted. His pale gaze flickered toward Sebastian, who had been observing the chaos with a stormy expression. For a moment, their eyes met, an unspoken agreement passing between them: this needed to stop.

Sebastian set down his drink, ready to intervene, but before either he or Ominis them could act, a voice cut through the commotion.

“Oi!” someone called from the shadows near the edge of the yard. “Who’s up for a swim? Let’s make it a proper party—skinny dipping at the pond!”

The group erupted in a mixture of laughter and gasps, the attention shifting immediately from Ethan to this new, far more reckless suggestion.

“Now that’s an idea!” Garreth declared, throwing his hands into the air. “Who’s coming?”

“I am!” Evie’s voice chimed in, determined despite her obvious intoxication.

“Evie, no!” Ominis’s voice was sharp as he stepped forward, his wand pointed toward her as though he might use it to physically tether her in place. “Absolutely not.”

“Evie, yes!” she shot back, already moving to follow the crowd. “I’ll be fine,” she said, waving him off with a grin.

Sebastian muttered a curse under his breath and moved to follow, but Ominis was way ahead of him, his strides carrying him quickly after her. “Evangeline Sterling, you are not doing this,” he snapped, his usually composed tone fraying at the edges as he tried to keep pace with her, but she was already weaving her through the crowd, her laughter drifting back to him on the wind.

The pond lay at the edge of the property, its surface shimmering faintly under the moonlight. By the time Ominis caught up, Evie was standing near the water’s edge, giggling as someone dared her to jump in. She hesitated for a moment, then reached for the hem of her dress, lifting it slightly as if to pull it over her head.

“Evie!” Ominis’s voice cracked sharply, cutting through the buzz of laughter and cheers from the group. He was nearly breathless from keeping up with her but straightened as he approached, reaching out to grab her wrist. “Put. Your. Dress. Down.”

Evie paused, blinking at him with wide, glassy eyes, the fabric still bunched in her fists. “What’s the problem, Ominis?” she slurred, swaying slightly.

“The problem, Evangeline,” Ominis said sharply, still holding her wrist with a firm but careful grip, “is that you’re about two seconds away from creating the kind of memory that lives on in school lore forever—and not in a good way.”

Evie blinked up at him, her wide, glassy eyes narrowing in confusion before she broke into a tipsy laugh. “It’s just a swim, Ominis!”

“Just a swim?” Ominis echoed, his brows lifting in incredulous disbelief. “Evie, you’re about to strip in front of half our classmates. That’s a crisis in the making, and if that’s your idea of innocent fun, then Merlin help us all.”

Around them, students were still stripping down and wading into the water, their laughter ringing out across the pond. Garreth, clearly thrilled by the chaos, raised his drink from where he’d waded into the pond and called out, “Sterling, you’re a legend! Don’t let him ruin the fun!”

But before Evangeline could even respond, Sebastian approached from the shadows, his broad shoulders illuminated by the flickering firelight behind him. His scowl was unmistakable, sharp and cutting as his eyes darted between Evangeline and the crowd in the pond.

“Alright,” he interjected, “That’s enough.”

Evie turned, her face lighting up in a mix of recognition and drunken rebellion. “Sebastian!” she exclaimed, abandoning her dress mid-tug and stumbling toward him. “You’re here! I thought you’d disappeared!”

Sebastian stepped forward just in time to steady her, catching her arm before she could trip over a root. Her face was flushed and her wide, delighted grin made his earlier irritation falter. She clung to him like he was a lifeline, her fingers curling into the fabric of his sleeve as if she hadn’t seen him in weeks.

“Of course I’m here,” he muttered, his voice softer than he intended as his hands instinctively settled on her waist to keep her upright. “Someone has to stop you from getting yourself killed—or worse.”

Evie swayed slightly in his grip, looking up at him with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. “You’re such a killjoy, Sebastian,” she teased, her words slurring just enough to make him huff a quiet laugh. “You and Ominis. Ruining my fun.”

“Yes, we’re absolute tyrants,” Sebastian said dryly, though his words lacked any sharpness. It was impossible to stay annoyed with her when she looked at him like that—like he was the best part of her night. “Terrible, fun-hating monsters here to save you from your own drunken chaos.”

“Dreadful,” Ominis added from her other side, his tone deadpan. “We should be ashamed of ourselves.”

Sebastian tightened his hold as Evie laughed, her head tilting back as if the situation was the funniest thing she’d ever heard. The sound was unrestrained, warm, and far too infectious for his liking.

“You’re both the worst,” she said with a dramatic pout, though her grin quickly returned as she leaned heavily against Sebastian, resting her forehead briefly against his shoulder. “But I’m so glad you’re here. I missed you.”

He froze, his breath catching in his throat. It was a simple, drunken admission, but it tugged at something deep inside him. He cleared his throat, forcing a smirk to mask the sudden warmth spreading through his chest. “I've been around all night, Evie.”

“Nope,” she insisted, pulling back to look at him, her lips forming a playful pout. “Not properly. And now you’re here.” Her hands tightened on his shirt, as if to prove her point. “Right here.”

Sebastian froze for a moment, caught completely off guard by the way Evie nestled against him. Her forehead pressed into his shoulder, and her warm breath ghosted through the thin fabric of his shirt, sending an unsteady jolt down his spine. His usual quick wit faltered, leaving him standing there like a statue while Ominis snickered quietly beside him.

“Comfortable, Sterling?” Ominis asked, raising an eyebrow.

Evie shifted, her cheek brushing against the curve of Sebastian's shoulder. “Mmhmm,” she hummed, her voice sleepy now. “Warm... safe.”

Sebastian’s chest tightened, a mix of pride and something deeper swelling in him. Merlin, she had no idea what she was doing to him, did she?

“You’re insufferable when you’re drunk, you know that?” he said softly.

“You’re insufferable all the time,” she countered, lifting her head just enough to glare up at him with glassy, half-lidded eyes.

Sebastian chuckled, the sound low and rumbling, and shook his head. “Fair enough.”

Ominis let out a long-suffering sigh. “If you two are done flirting—”

“We’re not flirting,” they said in unison, though the protest sounded far too rehearsed to be convincing.

“Of course not,” Ominis replied with a smirk. “Now, can we please get her sitting down before she passes out on the spot?”

“Good idea,” Sebastian muttered, guiding Evie toward one of the empty blankets near the bonfire. The warmth of the flames was a welcome contrast to the cool night air, and Evie’s shivers began to subside as soon as they settled her down.

She leaned back against Sebastian as if it were the most natural thing in the world, her head resting against his shoulder. His arm automatically curled around her, holding her steady.

“Here,” Ominis said, kneeling beside them and offering her a flask of water. “Drink this. Slowly.”

Evie blinked at the flask like it was some foreign object, then took it with both hands, her fingers brushing Ominis’s briefly. “Thanks,” she murmured, her voice quieter now.

As she drank, Ominis leaned closer to Sebastian, his voice low enough that Evie wouldn’t hear. “She’ll be fine, but you might not survive this.”

Sebastian gave him a sharp look, his jaw tightening. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Ominis smirked, tilting his head as if to say, You know exactly what it means.

“Just keep her out of the pond,” Ominis said simply, straightening up and brushing his hands against his robes. “I’m going to find Natty. Between the two of us we should be able to make sure nobody drowns.”

Sebastian nodded absently, his focus already back on Evie, who had tilted her head to look up at him again. “Are you leaving?” she asked Ominis, her voice faintly disappointed.

“Just for a bit,” he replied with a rare smile. “You’re in... capable hands.”

As Ominis disappeared into the crowd, Evie turned her gaze back to Sebastian, her brows knitting together slightly. “You’re not going to let me go swimming, are you?”

“Not a chance,” he said firmly, though his smirk softened into something almost affectionate. “You’re stuck with me.”

Her lips curved into a faint smile, and she shifted closer, resting her head against his chest. “Good,” she murmured, her words barely audible over the crackling of the fire.

Sebastian swallowed hard, his heart pounding against his ribs as he stared down at her. For once, he didn’t have a clever comeback. Instead, he let his chin rest lightly atop her head, closing his eyes briefly as the firelight danced around them.

~

Evangeline woke slowly, her head pounding with every thud of her heartbeat. A faint groan escaped her lips as she shifted, burying her face into the pillow. It smelled faintly of cedar and something else—something warm and comforting, though she couldn’t place it through the haze of her hangover.

Where am I?

The question floated through her mind as she blinked against the sunlight streaming through the window. The room was small but cozy, with small nightstand and sheer, lacy curtains.

Feldcroft. My bedroom in Feldcroft.

Evie sat up too quickly, immediately regretting it as a sharp pain shot through her skull. She groaned again, clutching her head and squeezing her eyes shut. The pounding in her temples was relentless, each throb a cruel reminder of the drinks she’d downed the night before.

What happened? How did I get here?

Fragments of the party drifted back to her in disjointed pieces—the bonfire, Garreth’s antics, the ridiculous feathered hat, the pond… Sebastian.

Sebastian.

Her cheeks warmed as blurry memories surfaced: his arm around her, the way he’d steadied her when she swayed, the tender way he’d kept her from making a fool of herself. For a fleeting moment, the thought brought a strange comfort. Then, faint voices from outside the room shattered the quiet, pulling her back to reality.

“—reckless, Sebastian,” Ominis said sharply, his voice tinged with anger. “What were you thinking?”

“I wasn’t,” Sebastian replied, his voice quieter, heavy with guilt. “I know I screwed up.”

“You left her there alone!” Ominis snapped, cutting him off. “Anything could have happened to her. And then you went and—”

“I know!” Sebastian interrupted, his frustration bubbling to the surface. “You don’t think I feel terrible about it?”

“Terrible doesn’t undo it, does it? She trusted you, and you went off to—Merlin, Sebastian! You snogged a fifth-year Gryffindor in front of everyone after she passed out!”

“Keep it down. She doesn’t need to wake up to us fighting,” Sebastian muttered.

“She’ll wake up to more than this,” Ominis snapped. “The whole party saw. You think people won’t talk?"

The words slammed into her, each syllable cutting deeper than the last. Her fingers tightened in the bedsheets as her memories sharpened, replaying every moment of the previous night—the way he’d teased her, steadied her, looked at her like she was the only thing in the world that mattered.

“If you must know, I’ve been trying to figure out how to convince you to fall madly in love with me before the year’s out.”

It had felt real. For a fleeting, hazy moment, she’d let herself believe that maybe there was something more to his words, that maybe the possessiveness in his gaze wasn’t just Sebastian being Sebastian but something deeper.

But of course, as she’d always suspected deep down, it had never meant anything.

Her face burned with humiliation, her stomach churning as the ache in her chest deepened. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the tears away. What had she expected?

The voices outside the room continued, muffled but distinct enough for her to piece together their conversation.

“You’re going to have to face her,” Ominis said sharply. “You can’t just act like nothing happened.”

“I don’t even know what to say," Sebastian replied, his voice heavy with frustration.

“You might want to start with an apology,” Ominis snapped. “For once in your life, stop thinking about yourself and consider how she feels.”

Sebastian’s silence was deafening, and Evie’s chest tightened further. She didn’t want to hear more. She didn’t want to know how he’d justify it, how he’d downplay it, how he’d twist the truth to make it seem like less than it was.

“You don’t care," she told herself, forcing the words into her mind like a shield. "You don’t care.”

But the sting in her chest, the way her hands trembled as she gripped the bedpost, betrayed her.

He'd left her there, alone by the fire, vulnerable and unconscious, like a discarded afterthought. Something could have happened to her. Anything. And yet, he hadn’t stayed. He hadn’t cared enough to ensure she was safe.

Her mind spiraled, replaying the moment over and over: the warmth of his arm around her, the steadying presence she’d trusted implicitly. How easily he’d abandoned her, slipping away to find someone else—to kiss someone else. The ache in her chest deepened, an unbearable weight pressing against her ribs. It wasn’t just the kiss, though the thought of it burned hot and sharp. It was the carelessness of it all, the way he’d left her behind as if she didn’t matter.

With a deep breath, she stood and smoothed the fabric of her dress. Her legs wobbled slightly, and the room swayed for a moment as the hangover reminded her of its presence. But she steadied herself, squaring her shoulders as she reached for the door.

She didn’t know what she’d say when she saw him. Maybe nothing. Maybe everything. But she couldn’t hide in here.

As she opened the door and stepped into the hallway, the voices stopped abruptly. Both boys turned to look at her—Ominis with a flicker of concern, Sebastian with guilt. For a moment, the weight of their gazes made her hesitate, but she quickly pushed it aside, holding her head high.

“Evie—” Sebastian started, his voice soft, almost pleading.

“Don��t,” she said sharply, her voice more brittle than she’d intended. Her gaze locked on his, her jaw tightening as she took a step forward. “Just don’t.”

Sebastian’s mouth opened, then closed it, his expression crumbling.

“I need some air,” she said, cutting him off before he could say anything. Her voice wavered slightly, but she forced herself to keep it steady. “Don’t follow me.”

Without waiting for a response, she brushed past them, her footsteps brisk as she headed for the door. The sunlight outside was blinding, and the warm summer air hit her like a wall, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t stop. Not until she was far enough away to breathe again.

He was never yours, she reminded herself as she walked, her hands shaking at her sides. And he never will be.

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[l-littlebird-l]

• A Dirty Birthday •

Sebastian Sallow & Ominis Gaunt x MC (Smut)

— Requests are Open —

Summary: Sebastian talks Ominis into sneaking in your dormitory at the break of dawn on your birthday. After waking you from little to no sleep, Sebastian proposed a game. The game was simple: You will be blindfolded, testing the limits of your friendship. Guess which one of them is which. If you guess right, the two of them will buy out everything The Three Broomsticks has to offer. If you guess wrong, they get the privilege to do whatever they please with you.

—

On the morning of your birthday, having snatched just a few hours of sleep, you awoke to the distant murmur of voices, a soft blur that drew nearer like mist rolling in. Your tired eyes fluttered as you shifted in your bed, too drained to acknowledge the growing symphony. Suddenly, a sensation enveloped you—a swift tug, and the once-enshrouding blanket slipped away, leaving your skin exposed to a shiver-inducing rush of cold air. A soft "Mmm..." tumbled from your lips, a muted protest, as a pair of hands gently coaxed you out of bed.

“Are you sure this is a good idea, Sebastian?” A familiar, soft, unsure voice resonated around you.

“Of course it is, Ominis. Why wouldn’t it be?” A natural grumble of Sebastian’s voice swayed as you found yourself guided with gentle precision towards the heart of your room. Your eyes still heavy with remnants of sleep, remained sealed shut. Your fingers instinctively sought to dispel the veil of haze, rubbing your eyelids tiredly as you wobbled in place.

A quiet sound of Ominis sighing fell before you. Gradually, the tender warmth of hands enveloped your sight from behind, shielding your vision.

“Accio,” the sonorous resonance of wood dragging across the stone floors piqued your awareness. With a deliberate motion, your hand extended upwards, your fingers finding purchase around the wrist that guarded your sight.

You grumbled, the fragments of drowsiness still clinging to your voice, "What’s… the meaning of this?”

“We had an idea last night,” Sebastian’s voice behind you lingered as he guided you into the chair that once was in the corner of your room.

A soft swish within the air brought by Sebastian's incantation, summoned forth a smooth and satin fabric, weaving the cloth of obscurity where his hand once held sway. The fabric settled softly across your skin, its embrace fastened over your lashes, enveloping you in a veil of darkness.

“Really… a blindfold?” Your fingers traced a path along the fabric delicately, adjusting its position. “I find it unfair that only one of us can see.” A wry smile played upon your lips as you voiced your jest, eliciting a quiet chuckle from Ominis only a few steps away.

“We’re going to play a little game…” A tender hand grazed your shoulder, its touch lingering across your flesh as the sound of their footsteps painted circles around you. A warm breath brushed against your ear, carrying Sebastian's voice as he whispered.

"A game..?" You stammered, a note of surprise infusing your voice as your body tensed with his touch.

"We're going to put our friendship to the test," Sebastian’s voice oscillated with certainty. "If you win, a feast of everything The Three Broomsticks has to offer will be yours.”

“Well, that seems harmless enough, but why the blindfold?” A trace of curiosity threaded through your voice.

His fingers curled over your shoulder, accompanied by the enveloping warmth of his presence against your other ear, his dark whisper unfurling, evoking a shiver that crawled up your spine. “You’re going to have to guess which of us is who. Simple enough?” Sebastian’s withdrawal left behind a soft crimson hue that crawled up the back of your nape like a fleeting caress.

A meandering path of warmth, guided by another pair of digits traced a tender route along your cheek, snaking slowly across your skin as they depart from your chin. The air around you stirred with swirling footsteps and a gentle breeze.

“And… if I do this you’ll keep your word?” You asked quietly, a tinge of nervousness laying beneath your breath.

“That’s right,” Sebastian’s voice carried in front of you.

“All that you could desire,” Ominis’ voice materialized against the strands of hair that veils your ear, eliciting a subtle start from you.

You inhaled deeply, your fingers absently toying with the rim of your nightdress, which rested provocatively against your thighs. The fabric, silky and abbreviated, exuded audacity with its scarcity of shoulder straps and delicate thinness. A sense of vulnerability enveloped you, as you found yourself inadequately prepared, denied the opportunity to change before becoming enmeshed in this little game of theirs.

“No need to be nervous, darling. Only one of us can see that risqué shift of yours.” Sebastian remarked with a faint sneer, having shifted from his previous position.

"What is she wearing?" Ominis inquired with a near-stammer, momentarily taken aback by Sebastian's comment.

"Find out for yourself, Ominis." Sebastian said.

"Wait, what?" A jolt coursed through you, causing your heart to quicken.

“Come now, I know you’d be more than willing to let Ominis explore that thin little dress of yours.” Sebastian’s words resonated, their impact sinking deeply as a brush of fingertips traced a fleeting line across your collarbones.

A warm flush swept across your cheeks, stealing your breath away. Your teeth nervously nibbling at your lower lip, yielding no protest. A gentle caress held your cheek, its touch tracing a tender pattern over your heated flesh.

"She's flustered," Ominis said softly, his hand retaining a subtle presence.

Sebastian's derisive tone gibed with a quiet sneer, "Don't make it obvious it’s you touching her.”

Ominis' soft touch withdrew as they both resumed their circling around you once more.

A delicate caress of fingers swept the side of your throat, tucking your hair aside with a low breath blowing against your exposed skin. A hushed gasp slipped past your lips, stirred by the sensation. "Sebastian?" You ventured, your guess accompanied by an attempt to steady your breathing. However, the silence that followed yielded no response.

The warm breath advanced, caressing your neck before settling against your ear, its heat evoking a constellation of goosebumps across your skin. Instinctively, your hand rose to push outward, seeking a presence that seemed elusive. Yet, your hand met only empty air, finding no one in its grasp. Your words faltered, quivering softly. "Ominis..?" You inquired, your voice carrying a trace of uncertainty.

"Do you truly believe Ominis possesses such audacity?" Sebastian's voice, finally positioned behind you, a hint of amusement as he hovered over your shoulder. A subdued snicker following his words. "You don’t know us at all," he taunted, his presence withdrawing as he moved away, their footsteps circling around you once more. You swallowed, the pounding of your heartbeat resounding heavily within your chest.

You felt a soft brush against the bare expanse of your thigh, compelling your nails to grip into the hem of your shift, inadvertently drawing it higher without your awareness.

“Sebastian..?” Your voice hitched through the part of your lips.

“Not this time,” Ominis’ voice lingered as his fingers traced a path along your soft skin, just below the hem of your dress.

"Keep your hand there, Ominis. She likes it,” Sebastian derided, a subtle elevation of your chin, an action seemingly to be his.

"This game is impossible," you murmured, your hand extending to clasp around his wrist, the rhythm of his veins resonating with his heartbeat beneath your touch.

"You wish to win, do you not?" Sebastian's words brushed against your lips. With a hesitant nod, you agreed with a sense of reluctance.

“A change in plans… If you guess wrong then we get the privilege to do as we please with you, free of consequences." Sebastian declared, his tone bearing a knowing darkness.

"Sebastian," Ominis interjected softly, his demur near your thighs.

"It’s only fair, we are paying for her meals after all," Sebastian’s thumb lightly grazes the curve of your bottom lip.

"It’s… fair," you conceded softly, your compliance offered without protest.

The faint sound of a smirk seemed to emanate from Sebastian's lips just before you. His breath slowly dissipates along with the release of his hold beneath your chin. In tandem, Ominis’ subtle touch followed suit, tracing a concluding path along your thigh before pulling away.

A snaking hand brushed against your shoulder once more, drawing the strap of your shift downward. "Sebastian—," you exasperated, knowing full well that touch was his doing.

Suddenly, a hand took hold of your jaw, angling your head back as lips pressed firmly against yours. A soft unexpected moan escaped your lips, mingling with the sensation of his kiss. Your fingers instinctively wrapped around his wrist, his lips embracing the contour of your bottom lip with a delicate touch. As the kiss deepened, your grip around his wrist began to slacken, the allure of the moment eclipsing the game entirely. The tender embrace of the kiss persisted, until eventually he withdrew, leaving you speechless. Your fingers rose to trace the touch that had lingered on your lips, a warmth resonating within you.

"S— Sebastian..?" You muttered with uncertainly, your voice carrying a blend of astonishment and bewilderment, still reeling from the unexpected kiss.

"Wrong," Ominis' voice reverberated beside you, his breath ghosting against your ear and eliciting a shiver running down your spine.

A rustling sound punctuated the stillness, causing your heart to briefly come to a halt. Lips pressed against yours once again, but this time it was different. The kiss was harsh, almost aggressive, characterized by parted lips and a raw hunger. Your gasps intermingled with the press of his lips, his fingers curling into the back of your hair, tightening possessively. A shudder coursed through your frame as his lips captured your bottom lip between his teeth, tugging at it. The sensation elicited another gasp, which was promptly swallowed by his insistent kiss. His fingers tugged at your hair as he deepened the kiss, his tongue seeking entry and snaking along yours in a heated mess. With a reluctant withdrawal, he released your lips, his fingers still entwined in your hair. His heavy breath mingled with yours, a soft sneer punctuating the charged air around you.

"Failed again," Sebastian reveled, his lips tenderly grazing against yours. "You know what that means?"

Your thoughts swirled recklessly, bounding you in place. A shallow gulp cut through the air of silence as you came to terms with your ignorance, your voice faltering as you accepted defeat.

"You don’t know the own taste of your friends lips?" Sebastian queried, his grip around your hair tightening. As your head was drawn back by his grip, a faint wince slipped your lips.

"How… how could I possibly know that?" You shuddered, your fingers clenching the corner of your chair.

"You've observed Ominis' lips intently enough; I assumed you'd recognize them," Sebastian sneered tantalizingly.

"She what?" Ominis inquired, his curiosity piqued, his fingers trailing tenderly over your thigh once more as if it draws for his attention.

"Sebastian," you asserted, swatting his hand from your hair.

"Why would you suggest such a thing?" You lifted your hand to remove the blindfold, your patience with the game reaching its limits. However, just as your fingers began to curl beneath the fabric, a hand seized your wrists, firmly holding them together in a single grip, preventing any movement.

"You know the rules," Sebastian reminded you with a resolute tone.

A soft chuckle resonated from Ominis beside you as a pair of hands firmly enclosed around your thighs. In response, your thighs pressed together involuntarily, your heart racing from his the touch.

"You were right, Sebastian," Ominis spoke quietly from below, his thumbs circling your skin in a soothing motion.

"I always am," Sebastian retorted, his hold on your wrists tightening.

"Sebastian, is this really necessary? I promise I won’t remove the blindfold," you implored, making an attempt to liberate your wrists from his grip.

"Just a bit longer," he insisted.

Ominis' hands brushed softly against the outer contours of your thighs, leaving a trail of tingling sensation in their wake. A tender kiss landed at the center of your skin, prompting an involuntary sound from your lips. The amusement in Sebastian's hum was evident as his finger inched over your camisole, ultimately drifting down towards the ridge of your clothing. His touch gently glided over your erect nipple, sending a shiver through you. Attempting to tug your wrists free from his grip, you found his hold unwavering as he held them securely above your head.

"Sebastian..." you whispered, your body trembling from just a simple touch.

"My name isn't the one you should be saying with those pretty lips," Sebastian hushed, his fingers traveling along the contour of your breast. Your gown so thin, giving little resistance against his audacious touch. His fingers mold to your supple form, squeezing your breast softly, causing you to draw a sharp breath.

Ominis forcefully parted your legs, eagerly positioning himself between them. His hands maintained a gentle grasp along the outside of your thighs, urging your dress upward. His lips trailed heated kisses across the field of your skin, igniting a cascade of goosebumps that raced across your flesh. The sensation prompted a subtle arch in your back, the tingling touch leaving its fervent burns. A quiet hitch of breath escaped, your lips tinted with lust.

A sudden, unfamiliar warmth pressed against the damp fabric that concealed your intimate core. You attempted to push your thighs together, seeking some semblance of control, but Ominis' hands firmly held them in place. His tongue glided sensually against the soaked fabric, playfully kissing and licking at your clothed folds.

"Ominis..." You moaned softly, your arms going limp within Sebastian's grasp.

"That's it..." Sebastian's grin held a wicked edge as he watched you surrender, completely under their control now.

"Sebastian, she's drenched..." Ominis murmured softly against your clothed folds, his fingers deftly curling beneath the strings that adorned your hips. With a swift tug, he removed your knickers, casting them aside.

"Ominis..." You shuddered, your thighs quivering in response to his audacious behavior. A subtle, almost imperceptible shift widened the gap between your thighs, an invitation conveyed through your trembling body.

“Is that pretty cunt of yours wet for Ominis, or for me?” Sebastian hummed, his words delivered with a sneer. He drew your hands from above your head, placing them against his trousers, your fingers blindly lacing his undeniable hardness pulsating from beneath.

You were rendered speechless, your teeth pressing into your lower lip as you attempt to find composure. Sebastian gently guided your hand, encouraging a stroking motion, eliciting a relieved moan from his lips as you delicately traced your fingers over the outline of his clothed cock.

Ominis extended his tongue, licking a long heated path against your exposed flesh, an overwhelming fire coursing through you. You sighed softly from his touch, your fingers clenched around Sebastian's throbbing arousal, drawing a low growl from him.

Your fingers fumbled along the fabric of his trousers, finding the buttons that concealed his stiffness. You deftly pushed the button through its slit, tugging Sebastian’s trousers down.

"Eager, aren't we?" Sebastian's fingers ran through your hair gently, granting you full control over your actions.

Meanwhile, Ominis pressed his tongue between your slick folds, sliding it up and down your wetness, savoring every inch of flavor. Your efforts to maintain a steady hand grew increasingly difficult as the overwhelming sensations threatened to take control over you. A soft, involuntary moan escaped your lips, enveloping you whole.

You gasped, your hips buckling in response of the intrusion. Your hands quivered against Sebastian's hips as you shakily slid your fingers beneath the hem of his briefs, tugging with a subtle resistance until they yielded. His arousal sprang forward from the release as you enveloped your fingers around his warm veiny cock, pumping it slowly.

Sebastian's head tilted back with a guttural groan, his cock twitching in your hand. "Fuck..." He moaned, his fingers coiling tightly in your hair.

Ominis' tongue continued its relentless path along your clit, inducing a fervent writhing within your seat, nearly pulling away from him in the throes of pleasure. He anchored you firmly in place by hooking his arms beneath your thighs. Your legs draped over his arms, his hands maintaining a secure grip around your hips.

"Oh, fuck... Ominis..." You gasped, your voice ladened with desperation.

Sebastian's patience seemed to wane, forcefully pushing your head down until the tip of his throbbing cock pressed against your lips. His pre-cum warm and sticky.

"Open for me, darling," he commanded, his grip around your hair tightening once more.

You felt his gaze beaming down on you as you slowly parted your lips and enveloped the crown of his cock. Gradually, you descended, taking his length into your mouth at a leisurely pace. His arousal was warm and pulsating, the veins adorning his flesh glided against your tongue perfectly.

"Good girl..." He purred. "If only Ominis could witness what that pretty mouth of yours is doing."

Ominis raised his head, his tongue sensuously licking his lips clean of your lingering wetness. "If only you could taste this pretty cunt of hers," he mused, a note of breathlessness in his voice.

"Fuck, don't tempt me Ominis..." Sebastian exhaled, pushing his length further down your throat, causing you to gag around his cock. Your nails dig into Sebastian's hips as you slowly began bobbing your head, diligently wetting his cock.

"Go easy on her, Sebastian," Ominis urged softly before he descended between your thighs once more, lavishing your soaking core with a series of wet, sloppy kisses. He wrapped his lips around your swollen bud with a delicate touch, suctioning and twirling his tongue around it hungrily.

"Mmph..." You moaned breathlessly against Sebastian's cock, the vibrations of your moan prompting a husky groan from his lips.

"Ah... fuck... keep going," Sebastian demanded, his grip on your hair easing as he subtly pushed his length in and out of your mouth.

Ominis withdrew one arm from around your thigh, softly gliding it along your leg before ultimately pushing his finger into your slick entrance. Your body retracted, a moan instantly escaping around Sebastian's cock. However, Sebastian's firm hold pushed your head further down his throbbing shaft, granting you no reprieve.

"I didn't say you could stop," Sebastian insisted, thrusting deeply down your throat.

Ominis drove another finger forcefully inside you, initiating a relentless pace within your tight core, your legs growing weaker with every breath you take. Ominis quickened his pace, his lips suctioning ravenously around your clit. Just as you felt yourself teetering on the brink of climax, he slowed down, withdrawing his lips from your needy cunt, leaving you hanging on the precipice of orgasm.

"She's close," Ominis hummed, his voice dripping with lust.

Sebastian sneered, drawing you back by your hair from his cock with a wet, suction-like noise. Finally, you could breathe freely again, your chest heaving as you attempted to regain your thoughts.

You felt Sebastian’s grasp around your hair dissipate as Ominis pulled away from your inner thighs. You were left there trembling, your cheeks a fiery shade of red. You inherently reached to remove your blindfold, but gentle hands intervened, preventing you from doing so.

"Wha—," you muttered, a color of confusion resonating within your voice.

"The game isn't over, my dear little bird," Ominis whispered softly, pulling your hands from the cloth that concealed your sight.

To Sabastian’s surprise, Ominis enjoyed this game just as much as he did. You felt the whirl of footsteps around you once more, baffled.

"It's not?" You asked, pouting slightly as you tried to make sense of the situation.

Ominis curled his fingers over your hands, pulling you from the chair. Your legs trembled slightly as you regained your poise.

“You still haven’t guessed which one of us gets to fuck that needy little cunt of yours,” Ominis’ voice carried with an undertone of hunger.

His words sent shivers down your spine, leaving you utterly baffled by what he was proposing, even Sebastian seemed caught off guard.

"Oh, so now you think this was a good idea, Ominis?" Sebastian sneered from behind you.

Ominis scoffed. You felt a tug at your hands, proceeding you towards your bed.

"Ominis, you can't just that and then be gentle with her. You're so confusing. Be a rough. It'll keep her guessing," Sebastian suggested, his tone laced with amusement.

"Then you be gentle," Ominis responded cryptically, his voice a soft counterpoint to Sebastian's.

Suddenly, a pair of hands pushed you backward, causing you to gasp as you tumbled onto your bed, the soft mattress providing an unexpected landing.

"Ominis—" you exclaimed, caught off guard by his actions.

"What makes you think that was me?" Ominis retorted softly, leaving you speechless and disoriented.

The two of them seemed to be playing a game of their own, leaving you thoroughly baffled. The weight of one of them settled on the bed behind you, and you couldn't help but grin, thinking you had it all figured out.

"It's much harder to conceal who's who if we're on a bed," your lips curl into a wider smile, confident in your own deduction.

"Is that so?" Ominis responded, his voice now seemingly coming from behind you.

"She thinks she’s got it all figured out," Sebastian taunts, his voice now in front of you, effectively shattering what you thought you knew.

Hands pressed firmly around your throat, tilting your head back into Ominis' shoulder while Sebastian pried your legs apart with a forceful touch. Their roughness left your voice hitching as your heated cavern pools with desire.

Lips crashed against yours with an insatiable hunger, immediately engaging your tongue in a messy dance. You moaned softly into the wet, desperate kiss, your tongue flicking sensuously against his.

Sebastian tugged you towards the edge of the bed, hoisting your thigh up with one hand. His throbbing tip traced a tantalizing path up and down your drenched folds, eliciting a shudder that reverberated through your body and onto the lips that devoured yours.

A sudden push into your core elicited a gasp, Sebastian's cock slowly breaching your entrance. You clung tightly to the bedsheets, biting down on his bottom lip to stifle your moans. The fingers wrapped around your throat squeezed gradually, temporarily cutting off your breath.

"Choke her harder, Ominis," Sebastian groaned, a sinister edge creeping into his voice, as they continued their relentless pursuit.

Your heart raced as you realized it was Ominis who possessed your lips and throat, his nails gently digging into your skin before he released his grip. He turned your head towards the side, his lips trailing from yours down to your throat, leaving a field of wet kisses that elicited soft moans through your parted lips.

Sebastian maintained a slow, steady pace, his cock thrusting in and out of you with an unrelenting rhythm. Your tightness around him caused him to grunt softly. "Fuck..."

Ominis' fingers curled under the hem of your satin shift, gradually pulling it up and over your chest until it halted at your shoulders. His lips, unwilling to part with your neck, left a gentle bite before finally letting go. He removed the rest of the camisole, leaving you completely pure of clothing. His hand circled around your breast, squeezing it gently as he planted butterfly kisses up and down your neck, his lips drawing along your collarbone and trailing across your shoulder.

Sebastian's forceful thrust sent a sharp cry of pleasure escaping your lips as you gripped the bedsheets tightly, your nails digging into the fabric. "Sebastian..." You moaned, biting down on your bottom lip.

He pressed the pads of his fingers into your thighs, leaving faint bruises in his wake as he quickened his pace. "Fuck..." He groaned, his cock pulsating within you. Sebastian’s nails nicked into your skin as he demanded you to say his name again. “Again, say it again.”

"S— Sebastian... fuck..." You gasped, beads of sweat forming across your body as you desperately moaned his name.

"Harder..." You begged, your voice filled with desperation as you fell back limp against Ominis' chest.

Your words sparked a dark fire within him. He slowed his pace, teasingly leaving you yearning for more. Ominis pulled away, allowing Sebastian to take full control. He flipped you onto your hands and knees, the blindfold finally relinquished at long last.

Sebastian's hips slammed into your ass with unbridled force, nearly eliciting a scream from you. He wrapped your hair around his fingers, using it as an anchoring point to thrust his hips vigorously against your body, each powerful movement driving you further to the edge.

“Fuck…” You gasped, your eyes finally laying upon Ominis before you. You watched as he unbuttoned his trousers and pulls them down along with his briefs, his cock flinging out before you, twitching with desperation. You couldn’t keep your eyes off of him.

Ominis palmed his arousal briefly before pressing the sticky crowned tip against your lustful lips. You eagerly complied, opening your mouth and enveloping your lips around his throbbing cock. The relentless thrusts from Sebastian pushed you forward, forcefully taking in the rest of Ominis’ cock. You gagged, your throat constricting tightly around him.

Ominis’ face usually composed, now bestows a heavy hue of redness within his cheeks, sweat dripping down his jaw with labored breaths. The sight destroyed you.

As Sebastian pounds into you, you felt yourself tightening with each thrust, almost reaching your own limits.

Your mouth worked diligently around Ominis' arousal, a symphony of moans and gasps filling the air alongside Sebastian's powerful thrusts. Ominis ran his fingers tenderly through your hair, cradling the back of your head with each descent into your mouth. The sensations coursing through your body pushed you over the edge, trembling on your knees.

Sebastian's hands gripped around your ass firmly, a loud clasp against your skin sends tears welling within your eyes, a wince formed around Ominis’ cock.

Ominis shuddered, his cock twitching within your mouth as he released his salty mix, filling your mouth completely full, choking on it. His cum dripped from the corners of your lips, trailing down your chin as you struggled to swallow it all.

Sebastian's nails dig into your flesh as his thrusts gradually slowed. "Fuck... I'm gonna cum," he exclaimed, savoring every last second. With a final powerful thrust, he growled deeply, his cock twitching within your defiled cunt, releasing his load deep within you. You fell against the bed, exhausted and breathless. Your cheeks flushed, your eyes fluttering shut, too tired to do anything else. The bedsheets below you formed a tangled mess, adorned with sweat and cum.

Sebastian gradually eased his hips, thrusting gently in and out of your cunt before withdrawing. A trail of his cum leaked down your trembling thighs, you couldn't help but emit a soft, satisfied moan from the tingling sensation.

Sebastian's sinister snicker sliced through the air, his words dripping with tantalizing satisfaction. "Such a good little slut for us, aren't you?"

“But we’re not done with you yet,” Ominis’ voice resonated with a tinge of dissatisfaction.

Your weary eyes fluttered open, tracking Ominis as he silently circled the bed and assumed the position behind you. With an effort, you rolled onto your side, tracing his every movement, weakly muttering, "What do you mean you're not finished..?"

"Isn't it obvious, darling?" Sebastian's voice floated around the bed as he takes Ominis’ previous position.

You tilted your head back, catching a glimpse of Sebastian hovering over you as you finally turn onto your back. He leaned down, his lips brushing your earlobe as he whispered softly, "Ominis didn't get to fuck that pretty little cunt of yours."

Shock and realization rippled through you as you turned your focus back to Ominis.

Ominis wraps his hands around your welted thighs and pulled you closer to his hips, his grip firm on your thighs, his eagerness palpable as his cock twitched in suspension.

Exhaustion weighed heavily upon you, your voice reduced to a feeble breath. "Ominis...”

With his fingers wrapped around his base, he teasingly traced the tip of his cock along the outskirts of your entrance. "Hmm… Aren't you curious? To have my cock deep inside you?" He pushed his tip just barely inside your cunt, eliciting a deep arch of your back as your head sank into the mattress, overwhelmed by the intense stimulation. "Fuck..." You gasped, your body responding despite the fatigue.

The crown of Ominis' cock finally penetrated, your hips involuntarily buckled as your fingers trembled at your sides.

"Ominis, please..." You begged, swaying your hips subtly.

"Hmm? What was that?" He teased, towering over you, pushing just a little further inside.

Sebastian's hand trailed a course down your bare body, his fingertips skimming your midriff until they found their destination. Goosebumps rippled across your flesh, curling your toes as your heart begins to race harder.

"Please..." You begged louder, your panting growing more urgent. "Fuck me, Ominis..."

Ominis’ lips curled into a grin as he pushed himself forcefully into you, eliciting a desperate cry from your lips. Sebastian’s fingers began circling your clit while his other hand found its way around your breast, relentlessly kneading your supple mount.

Your voice hitched from the overwhelming sensations. Ominis' cock fit perfectly within your tight, messy cunt. His movements a bit ragged compared to Sebastian’s smoother stride.

"Oh fuck—" You gasped, your hand reaching down towards Sebastian's wrist as he rolled the pad of his middle finger over your swollen clit, causing you to moan their names.

"Such a good little slut," Sebastian whispered against your ear. "You like it when Ominis fucks that cunt of yours?"

Your eyebrows furrowed together, squeezing your eyes shut as you frantically nodded.

"I didn't hear you," he growled against your ear.

"I... I..." You panted, unable to form coherent words.

Ominis slowed his pace, his form hovering above your, supported by his arms pressed into the bed. He questioned you with a dark tone, "You like it better with Sebastian's cock inside you, then?" His thrusts became increasingly intense, causing you to wince from the force.

"Oh fuck—" You yelped, almost certainly echoing within the corridors of the castle. You struggled for words as they both played with your senses relentlessly.

"Which one?" Ominis’ voice lowers in tone, almost an animalistic sound, increasing the rhythm of his thrusts.

You shuddered your nails digging into Sebastian’s wrist with a clouded mind. "Ominis— fuck..."

Sebastian sneered, observing you as you succumb to their little game. His lips met your breast, kissing and licking your pink bud softly while his finger continued to work on your clit, driving you closer to the edge. Your cunt tightened desperately around Ominis' cock as you felt yourself nearing your limits.

Beads of sweat dripped from Ominis' hair, falling against your midriff as he found the perfect rhythm. Sebastian's lips wrapped around your nipple, his tongue circling it, reflecting the movement of his hand below. Your body tensed slowly as your heart pounded within your chest.

"Oh fuck… I'm… I'm close…" You exclaimed breathlessly, your cunt tightening around Ominis' cock.

Sebastian's teeth grazed against your nipple as he deliberately slowed his finger down, prolonging your climax. He bit down softly, watching your visage as you approached the edge.

"Fuck…" Ominis growled, reaching his climax as well. Your head pressed back into the mattress, eyes rolling behind your lids as a surge of electricity raced up your legs, culminating where your two bodies meet. Euphoria washed over you, your body convulsing with pleasure as you gasped recklessly.

Your moans and gasps filled the air as you both climaxed. Ominis filled your cunt, overflowing onto the bed, causing a sticky mess. You found yourself completely unable to move, too tired to even think. You lay there in your own pool of cum and sweat, your chest heaving and your body quivering from exertion.

Ominis slowly pulled out, his cum dripping from his tip, falling beside you in bed with Sebastian on the other side of you. All three of you were exhausted. Sebastian brought his fingers toward his lips, licking his fingers clean of your sweet flavor with a smack of his lips.

"Mmm… you were right, Ominis. She does taste good," he smirked, his cock twitching from the delicious taste of you swirling around his tongue.

Ominis clasped his hand around the base of your neck and pulled you in close, his eyes effortlessly peering into yours despite his lack of sight.

"Happy Birthday," he said with a gentle press of his lips against yours.

"Can't wait for next year," Sebastian added, planting a wet kiss against your thigh.

Exhaustion weighed heavily upon you as you let out a soft, weary sigh. Your mind unable to conjure even the slightest inkling of what elaborate plans they might have in store for you.

[gyattoru]

Sebastian is so melancholically beautiful I don’t even know how to explain it.

(he just spent the whole game mogging everyone)

[dvinaamesca]

[deathlysallows]

That SWARM of butterflies, though.. 🦋 🦋 🦋

[ps-cactus]

Sebastian 'don't burn yourself' Sallow

bw for no reason actually because his hair turned out pink or red everywhere i'm dead

HE'S SO UNFAZED LMAO

bonus—a fancy glitch that's taking them somewhere to the sun explosion at least

[newbienewness]

So..I saw the new trailer of Bridgerton...and...yeah..enjoy

[serpentsillusion]

MC: Which one looks better? Black one or green one? *Holding up dresses*

Sebastian: Neither...

MC: Rude.

Sebastian: They'd look a lot better on the floor next to my bed.

MC, (thinking to herself): oh my Lord.

[soupwoopsage]

Three’s a Crowd

pairing: sebastian sallow x ominis gaunt x reader

summary: it’s the next school year after you have defeated ranrok while saving hogwarts in the process. you’d think that all of the students would treat you nicely and see you as a hero but it was quite the opposite. the only time they ever left you alone was when you were with your best friends, one day someone slipped up in front of you three….

note: more of a friendship type story? i wanted something cute with our boys

warnings: mentions and acts of bullying from randoms

“alright class that will be all for today, be sure to study up on the pages i have assigned for you tonight” professor weasley announces while dismissing all of you

“ah y/n, will you please come up here before you leave to help me with something?” she says while walking towards her desk

you give her a nod and gather up all your books

“typical, of course she’d ask the teachers pet for help” you hear a slytherin boy huff behind you while snickering amongst others

you turn around with a scowl on your face, but quickly turn back around when you saw how many of them were there looking at you. you really did not want to deal with them all today

you quickly grab your books and make your way towards professor weasley

after a small talk about some new field guide pages she located for you in lower hogsfield you make your way out of the classroom in hopes you wouldn’t run into anyone

of course you thought too soon, as there was a group of slytherin students standing against the wall waiting for you to walk out of the class

“well well well, isn’t it the teacher pet” one boy says as they start to surround you

“could we just not today? i still don’t know why you feel so irritated with me…” you say looking down at your shoes, really wanting to disappear into the ground

“you know exactly why” the boy sneered as he slams your books to the ground “thinking you are some kind of hero, we all know you are just a show off that stole house points from us. you don’t deserve to be here you know” he says kicking your books away

the others laugh at his actions and whisper amongst each other

“everyone knows hufflepuffs are just crybabies” he says inching closer to your face

you wanted to cry, you wanted to scream for some kind of help but it was no use. everyone seemed to scatter away once the interaction started

“are you gonna cry out for sebastian? or ominis? they can’t protect you forever. even they will eventually see how pathetic you are” he says with gritted teeth before motioning everyone to “come on”

as they all walk past you, some bump your shoulder while others kick your books further away from you

you stand still, staring at your shoes until you don’t hear anyone anymore. you quickly go to pick up your books and start walking towards the boathouse, hoping for some privacy, as you made it to the top of the steps you feel hot tears starting to roll down your face

no no, i can’t cry. i shouldn’t cry

picking up the pace quickly down the stairs before anyone sees you like this, you thought to your self. you did feel pathetic, you couldn’t even stand up for yourself, you’re suppose to be some kind of hero?

“y/n hey! whoa slow down!”

you recognize the voice from behind you

no no no don’t see me like this

you stop in your tracks and wipe your tears the best you could before turning on your heels facing your best friends

“hello” you whimper out

“whoa y/n are you okay? what’s wrong?” sebastian says walking up to you, ominis following closely behind

“did something happen to you?” ominis asks, making his way closer to you

“no i just fell and damaged some of my books. i guess it just kind of made me emotional” you lie showing your damaged books

“i don’t suppose repairo would work on those huh” sebastian says staring down at your books

“is that what really made you upset y/n?” ominis questions, clearly not buying your story

damn him for seeing through you

“yeah i’m okay! let’s go down to the boathouse, i wanted some time away from everyone” you say, turning on your heels walking down the rest of the stairs, avoiding their questions

the boys agree while following closely behind you. you could hear them whisper to each other, talking about how there’s something definitely wrong with you. choosing to ignore them, you keep making your way down the stairs.

finally making it to the bottom, the three of you put your bags down and walk towards the end of the dock and sat down. having both boys on either side of you now, you felt a little bit more safe.

“are you sure everything’s alright y/n? you really don’t seem okay” sebastian says worried looking into your eyes “you know we can tell you’ve been crying”

“i’m okay i promise, i just have a lot of my mind” you say looking into the water

“well you know you could tell us. that’s what we are here for” ominis says leaning in closer to you

you smile at your friend, putting your hand on his shoulder “maybe soon i’ll let you guys know. but for now let’s enjoy the weather yeah?” you say reassuring your friends

sebastian gives you a huff and looks into the water

the three of you sit for a little bit, talking about your day and laughing together until a pair of girls come walking onto the docks behind you ruining the moment for the three of you

you hear the girls snicker behind you and whisper “look at her with both of them as if they would want someone like her”

“threes definitely a crowd, who does she think she is sitting with the two most popular slytherins in school” the other girl laughs in a hush tone as they walk towards the opposite side of the dock

you stiff up hearing their voices and almost immediately feel the waterworks’s coming back up

“what did you two say?” sebastian calls out, now completely turned around looking at them with an annoyed look

“o-oh nothing sebastian! we were just talking to ourselves” one of the girls says, clearly embarrassed that he heard her

ominis begins to stand up and wipe off his robes “you know i may be blind girls but i’m not deaf, you two really must work on your whispering” he says walking towards them with sebastian

“do you have something you wanted to say to us or were the two of you about to go somewhere else” sebastian says, annoyance lacing his voice

“w-we were just leaving yeah, right?” one girl speaks to her friend. the other one nods and quickly tugs her friend away back up the stairs away from the boathouse

you sit there stunned watching your friends stand up for you, shocked that they would even do such a thing. it’s not like what the girls were saying was wrong, why would they even want to be around someone like me

they both turn around a make their way back towards you

“is this what’s been going on? have people been saying stuff like this to you alot?” sebastian questions, pulling you up from your sitting position

“kind of…” you admits, looking down at your shoes

“why haven’t you told us y/n?” ominis asks

“i just didn’t want to worry you. plus it’s not like they are wrong, i don’t feel very worthy of your friendships” you say, clearly letting the bullies words infiltrate your mind

“are you kidding me? do you know all you have done for me? are we not going to discuss when i went practically crazy last year?” sebastian questions, clearly baffled with your words

“you must know how much you have done for us y/n, how much you have done for hogwarts. we are glad we met you and wouldn’t want it any other way” ominis says, placing his hand up on your shoulder, rubbing it slightly

you look up at ominis and smile at the both of them “s-sorry for saying that then… i just have been taking it from everyone for so long. you two are really the only ones i have right now” you admit, looking between the boys

“we are so glad to have met you, you truly mean everything to us. you are our charge” sebastian says with a small blush creeping up onto his freckles

you smile, your face also feeling hot as you pull both of the boys in for a hug

“i really do love the both of you” you admit, blushing into the hug

the boys hug you back, practically squeezing the air out of you in the process

“now then…” sebastian starts while pulling away “where are the others that have been messing with you”

“actually most of them of slytherin boys…”

“oh for the love of merlin”

[sallows-legacy]

<3 Just Sebastian at the beach

[darch7995]

𝑹𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑩𝒚: @ultraviolet-x

𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘: ► 𝑊𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑏𝑦 @darch7995

𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐂: ► 𝐴 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝐿𝑎𝑠𝑡 - 𝑅𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑒 𝑂𝑙𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑑

[writingsoftarnishedsilver]

Witch Weekly | Sebastian Sallow x OC #19

ahhh ok I sorta love this chapter - I remember doing these quizzes with my friends as a kid, and I just love the idea of ominis and sebastian being roped into it. i hope you all enjoy it as much as i enjoyed writing it <3

Summary: Sebastian and Ominis find Evangeline in the courtyard with her friends. The group convinces everyone to complete Witch Weekly compatibility quiz, leading to humorous teasing and unexpectedly heartfelt revelations.

Words: 4,671

Tags: Not Actually Unrequited Love, Friends To Lovers, Slow Burn, Longing, Unspoken Feelings, Fluff, Friendship

Read more stories about Sebastian and Evangeline

Read on AO3

The late afternoon sunlight poured through the windows of Hogwarts, bathing the stone walls in light. It was the kind of day that practically begged for students to abandon their studies and enjoy the crisp breeze and fresh spring air. Even the Great Hall was quieter than usual, its occupants fewer as most of the school had already fled outside to soak up the warmth after a long winter.

Sebastian walked briskly beside Ominis, the click of their shoes echoing faintly in the castle corridor. His expression was set in a practiced neutrality, but the way his fingers tapped against his thigh betrayed his impatience. It wasn’t until they reached the courtyard doors that he broke the silence.

"She’s been gone all day," Sebastian muttered, his voice low but tight with irritation.

Ominis smirked faintly, as if he’d been waiting for this moment. He tilted his head slightly while pulling out an enchanted pocket watch and replied, "Eight hours and thirty-three minutes."

Sebastian froze mid-step, whipping his head toward his friend. "What?"

"You started shifting in your seat during breakfast. By lunch, you kept glancing at the door every five minutes. And now, after I’ve successfully endured an entire afternoon of your brooding, here we are," Ominis said calmly, a trace of humor in his tone. "Eight hours and thirty-three minutes. Impressive restraint, all things considered."

Sebastian’s brows knitted together, his cheeks warming. "You’re insufferable."

"And you’re predictable," Ominis countered, not missing a beat. "Though I will admit, I thought you’d cave closer to seven hours. Perhaps you’re learning patience after all."

Sebastian’s glare deepened, but the warmth of his blush betrayed him. "I’m not ‘caving.' I’m just saying it’s unusual, that’s all," he muttered. "She’s always around. It feels...off."

"Yes, terribly unusual," Ominis said with mock seriousness. "Imagine someone spending time without you, Sebastian. The audacity."

"Don’t you think it’s odd, though?" Sebastian pressed. "She didn’t say anything about being busy, and she’s not one to miss Crossed Wands."

Ominis let out a low hum, as if considering it. "Not particularly. But I am enjoying watching you tie yourself into knots over it."

Sebastian shot him a glare. "I’m not—" He cut himself off with a frustrated growl. "Forget it."

"I couldn’t if I tried," Ominis said with a faint chuckle.

The two descended a short set of stone steps, emerging into the courtyard where the late afternoon sun cast shadows across the grass. The scent of budding flowers hung in the air, mingling with the faint chatter of students relaxing under the trees.

And then Sebastian heard it—a familiar, melodic laugh that stopped him mid-step.

His gaze flicked toward the source, and there she was.

Evangeline sat in the middle of the lawn with her friends, a blanket spread beneath them, surrounded by scattered plates of pastries and glossy magazines. Her legs were tucked beneath her, the sunlight catching the loose strands of her hair as she leaned back on her hands, laughing at something Cressida had said. She looked completely at ease, as though she hadn’t just spent the entire day missing from Sebastian’s life without explanation.

He felt the tension in his chest ease at the sight of her, only to be replaced by a different kind of weight—a quiet, restless ache he’d been trying (and failing) to ignore for... well, since the day they met.

Beside him, Ominis paused as well, tilting his head toward Sebastian. "Well, there’s your answer. Mystery solved. Shall we go, or are you planning to stand here staring all day?"

Rolling his eyes, Sebastian’s feet carried him forward, and Ominis trailed behind with an air of amusement. The laughter from the group grew louder as they approached, mingling with the soft rustle of leaves overhead and the distant chatter of other students enjoying the courtyard.

"Evangeline Sterling," Sebastian called, injecting as much casual confidence into his voice as he could muster, "you’ve been suspiciously absent today."

Evangeline looked up, her hazel eyes sparkling as they caught his. "Did you miss me?" she teased, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

Sebastian opened his mouth, ready with a sharp retort, but Ominis spoke first.

"It's been eight hours and thirty-three minutes since he saw you last," he said, his voice dry as parchment. "He’s been keeping track."

Evangeline’s eyebrows lifted in amused surprise, her smile widening. "Has he now?"

Sebastian groaned, glaring at Ominis. "I have not—"

"He has," Ominis interrupted smoothly, settling himself onto the edge of the blanket with a casualness that made it clear he had no intention of defending Sebastian.

The other girls, catching onto the conversation, began to laugh. Imelda leaned forward, her sharp grin full of mischief. "Well, I’d say he earned an invite then. Sit down, Sallow. We’re in the middle of something."

Sebastian hesitated, his gaze flicking to Evangeline, who patted an empty spot on the blanket beside her. With a smile, he lowered himself to the grass, the tension in his chest tightening as soon as he was near her.

"So," he asked, glancing at the scattered magazines, "what’s all this about?"

Cressida beamed and held up a Witch Weekly, the shiny cover promising a "guide to perfect compatibility”.

Natty chuckled, "We’re doing a quiz," she said. "It’s supposed to tell you about your ideal romantic match."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "And you’re taking it seriously?"

"Why not?" Evangeline said, leaning toward him conspiratorially. "It’s magic, after all."

"Highly questionable logic," he muttered, though his curiosity was piqued.

"Don’t act like you’re above it," Nerida chimed in, nudging him with her elbow. "You’re doing it whether you like it or not."

Sebastian’s brow furrowed, but before he could protest, Cressida thrust a quiz into his hands. "There’s no escaping," she said brightly. "Even Ominis is playing."

Sebastian turned to Ominis, who sat with his arms crossed, looking as though he deeply regretted ever agreeing to sit down next to Poppy. "I was coerced," Ominis deadpanned.

Sebastian sighed, staring down at the page in front of him. The parchment smelled faintly of roses, as if Witch Weekly knew exactly how to market itself to dreamy-eyed witches. He sighed heavily, shooting a glance at Ominis, who looked as though he might murder someone with his quill.

"Fine," Sebastian muttered, "but I’m not sharing my results."

"You say that now," Imelda quipped, passing around the inkwell. "But you won't have a choice; we'll figure out who you're pining after."

"I’m not pining after anyone," Sebastian retorted quickly, too quickly, which only earned him a round of laughter. He shifted uncomfortably, wishing he’d stayed in the library. Well—no. He wouldn’t have found Evangeline there. But now here he was, surrounded by giggling girls and faced with a magazine quiz designed to unearth his secrets.

He barely noticed when Evie handed him a quill until her fingers brushed his, the fleeting touch sending an involuntary shiver up his spine. His gaze dropped to the quill in his hand. It was hers. He knew because she always used this type—sleek black with a faint shimmer of gold along the edges.

"You don’t have to look so miserable," Evangeline teased, her voice light as she leaned closer, a smile dancing across her lips. "It’s just a bit of fun."

Sebastian grumbled something noncommittal, focusing instead on the quiz. The first question stared back at him,

What’s your ideal magical date?

A) A candlelit dinner at a wizarding bistro.

B) A thrilling broom race across the countryside.

C) A cozy evening at home, brewing potions together.

D) A spontaneous adventure—perhaps dragon-watching or artifact hunting.

Sebastian hesitated, glancing out of the corner of his eye at Evangeline, who was already scribbling away on her quiz with an easy, carefree smile. She’d probably pick D, he thought. Adventure suited her—fearless and bright-eyed as she always was. He could still picture her standing at his side during their countless escapades, laughing at his jokes or throwing him an exasperated look when he got them into trouble.

He circled D.

2. How do you respond to an admirer?

A) Shy and flustered.

B) Bold and flirtatious.

C) Cool and indifferent, playing hard to get.

D) Awkward but honest.

Sebastian almost snorted aloud at the options. None of them seemed to fit him entirely, though he imagined his usual cocky attitude might land him under B. But then again, wasn’t that all an act? When it really mattered, when the stakes weren’t just idle flirtation, he felt more like a mess of poorly hidden nerves.

His eyes flicked to Evangeline again, who had moved on to the next page of her quiz, her brow furrowed in concentration. He could almost hear her voice teasing him about this later: Awkward but honest, hmm? That doesn’t sound like you at all, Sallow.

He hesitated, then circled B.

The next question asked which magical creature best represented his personality, and Sebastian frowned as he read the options, his quill hovering indecisively. A Niffler? Absolutely not—he could already imagine Ominis and Imelda taunting him about that one for weeks. Phoenix sounded noble, but a bit too dramatic even for his liking, and Thestral felt too melancholic. His gaze landed on Hippogriff, and his lips quirked upward. It felt... right.

Loyal to a fault, fiercely proud, occasionally to the point of arrogance. It fit him well enough, and he couldn’t help but think of Evangeline’s voice scolding him after one of their many arguments. You need to stop thinking you’re invincible, Sebastian. It’s exhausting.

He circled B, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

As the quiz went on, Sebastian found himself unexpectedly drawn in, the faint absurdity of the questions overshadowed by the way they seemed to linger in his mind. He’d approached the entire exercise with his usual sarcasm, but with each response, something tugged at him—a quiet, restless feeling he couldn’t quite pin down. The questions weren’t profound on the surface, yet they had a way of making him pause longer than he should, each one prodding at thoughts and feelings he’d spent forever trying to shove aside.

When reached the final question, his hand froze mid-motion, and the faint chatter of the group faded into the background. The question stared back at him, its words clear and deliberate, almost as if the parchment itself were daring him to be honest.

What’s most important to you in a partner?

Sebastian let out a slow breath, his eyes scanning the options again and again. At first glance, the answer seemed simple. Someone who challenges me. Evangeline did that better than anyone else. She pushed him constantly—whether it was in Crossed Wands duels, during their shared adventures, or even in simple conversations where her pointed remarks kept him sharp. There was no question that she challenged him. But… was that all?

He considered the second option. Someone who understands me completely. That one carried a weight that made his chest feel tight. He wasn’t sure if anyone fully understood him—not really. But if anyone came close, it was her. She didn’t just understand his motives; she understood his silences, his deflections, the way he avoided certain topics with everyone else but couldn’t seem to avoid with her. She knew him in ways that unnerved him.

His quill hovered over C. Someone who makes me laugh, even when things are tough. He smirked to himself, remembering how often Evangeline managed to coax a laugh out of him, even on his worst days. Whether it was her dry humor, her wit, or her outright stubbornness, she had a way of lightening the heaviest moments. But laughter wasn’t enough, was it? Not when there was so much more to what he felt for her.

Finally, his gaze settled on D. Someone who sees me—the real me. His chest tightened further as the words sank in. Of all the options, this one felt the most dangerous. He didn’t like the idea of being seen—not really, not in the way that laid everything bare. Yet somehow, Evangeline had always managed to do it. She saw the parts of him he tried to keep hidden, the parts even he wasn’t proud of. And instead of turning away, she stayed. She challenged him, understood him, made him laugh—but most of all, she saw him.

The quill dipped toward the page, his hand moving almost instinctively, as if there were never any other choice.

He circled D.

Sebastian sat back, letting out a slow breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. His heart was beating faster than he liked, and he couldn’t help but glance sideways at Evangeline, who was still focused on her own quiz, completely oblivious to the small emotional upheaval happening just a foot away. The sunlight caught in her hair as she shifted slightly, and Sebastian looked away quickly, focusing on the faint smudge of ink on his thumb as if it were the most interesting thing in the world.

"All done?" Her voice broke through his thoughts then, warm and lilting. Her hazel eyes sparkled with curiosity, and her smile was so disarming that for a moment, all he could do was nod.

"Finally," Imelda groaned, plucking the quiz from his hands before he could protest. "Let’s see what kind of mess you’ve made here."

Sebastian tried to snatch it back, but Imelda danced out of reach, flipping through the answers with an exaggerated gasp. "Oh, this is good," she declared, her grin wide and mischievous. "This is really good."

"Imelda," Sebastian growled, his voice low with warning.

Imelda waved the quiz in the air, delighting in Sebastian’s growing frustration as he leaned forward, trying to grab it. "Hold your hippogriffs, Sallow," she said with mock exasperation. "You’re about to witness magic in action."

Sebastian groaned, running a hand down his face. "What are you on about now?"

Cressida, already giggling, produced her own quiz page, which had been folded neatly into the shape of a bird. "You fold the parchment into a shape," she explained, her tone sing-song as she turned the little paper creation in her fingers. "Then you tap it with your wand to ‘submit’ it to Witch Weekly. Once it’s done calculating, it unfolds to reveal your perfect match."

Sebastian blinked. "That’s... ridiculous."

"It’s enchanted, Sallow," Nerida chimed in. "Show some respect for centuries of matchmaking magic."

"Matchmaking rubbish, more like," he muttered, earning a flick on the arm from Imelda.

"Don’t be such a spoil-sport," she said, already folding his quiz with nimble fingers. She worked quickly, creasing the parchment into a sharp, angular star. With a flick of her wand, the folded paper glowed softly before beginning to quiver in her hands.

Sebastian’s stomach twisted as the parchment unfolded itself. The neat creases smoothed out, and glowing gold ink began to appear across the page, forming a short paragraph in flowing, elegant script. Imelda leaned closer, squinting theatrically at the words.

"Oho!" she said, her grin practically feral. "This is juicy."

Sebastian snatched the parchment from her hands before she could read it aloud. "Not a chance," he growled, his eyes scanning the glowing text. But the moment his gaze landed on the words, his breath caught in his throat.

Your perfect match is someone who pushes you to grow beyond your limits, who sees potential in you even when you doubt yourself. They understand the words you don’t say, the silences you keep, and the weight you carry alone. They bring lightness to your heaviest days, their laughter a remedy you didn’t know you needed. Fiercely loyal and unapologetically bold, they possess a warmth that draws you in, steady and unyielding, like a fire on the coldest nights. Your match sees you—the best and worst of you, your flaws and your strengths—and without hesitation, they choose to stay.

Sebastian stared at the words, his chest tightening as though the parchment itself had reached into him and pulled something loose. He read it again, his grip tightening. Every word felt like a mirror, reflecting back at him what he already knew but couldn’t say. It was Evangeline. It had always been her.

"Well?" Imelda prompted, her voice cutting through his haze. "What does it say? Don’t keep us waiting."

"It says it’s none of your bloody business," Sebastian snapped, folding the parchment hastily and shoving it into his pocket.

Imelda crossed her arms, looking thoroughly unimpressed. "Oh, come on, Sallow. Don’t be such a baby."

"Ooooh," Nerida drawled, leaning forward with a mischievous glint in her eye. "It must be something really scandalous if he’s acting like this."

"Maybe it said his match is someone who hates Quidditch," Cressida chimed in, feigning a gasp. "Oh, the horror!"

Sebastian groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Merlin’s beard, you’re all insufferable."

Before the teasing could escalate, Evangeline spoke, her voice cutting through the noise like a soft breeze. "Alright, that’s enough." Her tone was light but firm, her hazel eyes glancing around the group before landing on Sebastian. "If he doesn’t want to share, leave him be."

Sebastian shot her a quick look of gratitude, but his relief was short-lived as she added, "Besides, I’ll go next."

The group turned toward her in unison, the shift in attention immediate. "Really?" Imelda asked, her grin widening. "You’ll actually share yours?"

Evangeline nodded, leaning back on her hands with an easy smile. "Sure. Why not? It’s just a silly quiz, after all."

Sebastian’s stomach flipped as she reached for her folded parchment. The idea of her perfect match suddenly being revealed in front of everyone made his mouth go dry. He didn’t even know why—it wasn’t as if the quiz meant anything... right?

"Here we go," Evangeline said, tapping the folded parchment with with her wand. As the paper smoothed out, the glowing gold ink began to form its paragraph, shimmering softly in the sunlight.

She held the parchment aloft, her tone light and confident as she began to read, clearly treating it like the harmless fun she’d promised.

"Your perfect match is someone charming, competitive, and endlessly protective. They have a fiery spirit that matches your own, challenging you in ways that keep life exciting." Her smile flickered slightly, and her gaze darted briefly to Sebastian before she quickly looked back at the parchment. "Though sometimes infuriatingly stubborn, they are fiercely loyal—always the first to stand by your side, no matter the cost."

Sebastian’s heart thudded painfully in his chest. The words felt too pointed, too familiar, and judging by the faint pink spreading across Evangeline’s cheeks, she thought so too. Her confident tone wavered as she continued.

"They make you laugh when you least expect it, even on the hardest of days. They see past the masks you wear, understanding the parts of you that you don’t share with anyone else. Your match isn’t perfect—they’re messy, complex, and frustrating at times."

Her voice dipped slightly at those last words, the blush deepening as she hesitated. The silence stretched for a heartbeat too long, and Sebastian realized with a jolt that she was debating whether to keep going. Finally, she cleared her throat and pressed on, though her voice was quieter now, almost shy.

"But," she continued, "they make you feel seen, heard, and understood. With them, you’re not just enough—you’re everything. They don’t complete you; they remind you that you were whole all along."

When she finished, Evangeline lowered the parchment slowly, her fingers tightening around it as if she could crumple the damning words into nothing. Her cheeks were flaming now, and she let out a soft, nervous laugh that did nothing to mask her discomfort.

"Well," she said lightly, attempting to recapture her earlier ease, "that’s a bit much, isn’t it?"

The group around her, however, had other ideas.

Imelda was the first to break the silence, her grin practically splitting her face. "A bit much? Merlin’s beard, Sterling, that’s practically a love letter! Are we sure Witch Weekly isn’t using Veritaserum on these things?"

"Fiery spirit, endlessly protective, infuriatingly stubborn…" Nerida drawled, "Wonder who that could be?"

Evangeline balled up the paper and tossed it directly at Nerida, hitting her squarely in the forehead. "Shut up," Evangeline said, her voice somewhere between exasperation and amusement, though the pink on her cheeks hadn’t faded in the slightest.

The group erupted into laughter, Imelda practically doubling over as she smacked her knee. "A direct hit! Maybe your perfect match should be someone who can dodge."

"Or someone who knows when to keep quiet," Evangeline shot back, though her teasing tone was undercut by the way she avoided looking at Sebastian.

Sebastian, for his part, was rooted to the spot, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it might echo in the courtyard. He wanted—needed—to convince himself it was just a quiz, a silly enchanted game meant to amuse and nothing more. But he couldn’t. His own results had struck far too close to home, describing Evangeline with such precision that it felt like Witch Weekly had read his mind. And if his results had been accurate, then what about hers?

So maybe it wasn’t such a joke after all.

Sebastian’s mind spun with possibilities while the others continued to laugh and tease. Cressida was reading her result aloud, her voice animated as she tried to downplay how much it sounded like Garreth, much to everyone's amusement. Imelda was cackling as she folded another parchment for the next victim. It was business as usual—except for Sebastian, whose mind was entirely elsewhere.

He risked another glance at Evangeline, who had busied herself tidying up the plates and crumpled bits of parchment around her. Her cheeks were still pink, her fingers moving just a bit too quickly, as though keeping her hands occupied could erase the lingering tension from the air.

He looked away before anyone could catch him staring again, dragging a hand through his hair in frustration. He needed to get a grip.

"Alright, Ominis," Imelda’s voice rang out sharply, yanking Sebastian back to reality. "Your turn. You’ve been sitting on that parchment like it’s a classified Ministry document."

Ominis didn’t move. "No, thank you," he replied flatly, crossing his arms. "I’ll pass."

"Oh, no, you don’t!" Nerida said, leaning forward with a grin. "Everyone else has read theirs. You’re not getting out of this."

"Unless," Imelda said, her voice taking on a mockingly thoughtful tone, "you’re afraid of what it’ll say. Maybe your perfect match is Sebastian."

The group erupted into laughter, and even Sebastian couldn’t suppress a smirk. "I think we both know Ominis couldn’t handle someone like me," he quipped.

Ominis sighed loudly, lifting his head with the air of someone long-suffering. "If it will shut you all up," he said, reaching for his parchment, "then fine."

Begrudgingly, he handed it to Natty, who quickly folded it up into a neat little crane, her hands moving deftly as though she’d done this a hundred times before. With a flick of her wand, the crane glowed faintly and began to unfold, the enchanted ink blooming across the page.

Ominis reached for it carefully, holding it in both hands as if it might combust. Then, clearing his throat, he began to read, his voice calm but deliberate.

"Your perfect match is someone who doesn’t let themselves be defined by the things that have happened to them. Instead, they remain hopeful—resilient, even in the face of adversity. They possess a mischievous streak that keeps life interesting, with a cleverness that can outwit even the sharpest minds. But at the same time, they find joy in calm, quiet moments—someone who knows the value of stillness."

His voice softened slightly, the faintest hint of emotion creeping into his otherwise even tone. "With them, silence is never uncomfortable—it’s a comfort, like the steady rhythm of the tide. They offer strength in the gentlest of ways, never demanding, never forceful. They see the world not for what it takes away but for what it still has to offer, and they remind others to do the same."

As Ominis finished, his fingers lingered on the edges of the parchment, folding it carefully as if handling something fragile and precious. He set it beside him with deliberate precision, clasping his hands in his lap. His expression remained calm, but there was a tightness in his posture, a vulnerability he rarely allowed anyone to see.

"Happy now?" he asked, his voice dry but quieter than usual, as if the words had cost him something to say.

The group, usually quick with teasing remarks, sat in a rare silence, the weight of his description settling over them. Even Imelda, who always had a quip ready, seemed caught off guard, blinking as if unsure how to respond.

"Well," Cressida said softly, breaking the quiet with a small smile, "that’s… beautiful."

Imelda recovered quickly, crossing her arms with a huff. "Sounds like a miracle worker. Whoever they are, they’ve got their work cut out for them with you, Ominis."

"Thank you, Imelda," Ominis said dryly, "Your input, as always, is invaluable."

The group laughed, the mood beginning to lift again. But Sebastian didn’t join in. He was too busy studying Ominis, trying to piece together what—or who—could have inspired such a specific, heartfelt result. The words had felt personal, far more personal than some random enchanted description. And while he couldn’t quite place it, something about the way Ominis had spoken left him uneasy.

Indeed, for all the time Sebastian spent with Ominis, the blonde had never once spoken about a girl, nor any boys. In fact, Sebastian had begun to wonder if Ominis even considered such things at all. Relationships, crushes, and fleeting romances seemed to amuse him in theory, but in practice, Ominis never expressed interest in anyone. It wasn’t for lack of attention—girls often found his sharp wit and air of mystery intriguing—but he always deflected their advances with polite indifference.

And yet, the way Ominis had described his "perfect match" sounded so... deliberate. As if the words weren’t crafted by the parchment but drawn from somewhere deeper.

Sebastian’s brow furrowed, his curiosity only growing. Was there someone Ominis hadn’t mentioned? Someone he’d been keeping to himself?

And then, Sebastian caught something out of the corner of his eye—a glance. Brief, almost imperceptible, but unmistakable. Evangeline and Ominis exchanged a look, a flicker of understanding passing between them that sent a spike of curiosity through Sebastian.

His brow furrowed, his gaze flicking between the two of them. It wasn’t unusual for Evangeline and Ominis to share silent moments of understanding—they’d always been close. But this felt different, like they were sharing a secret that wasn’t meant for him.

Evangeline quickly looked away, focusing on the blanket in front of her as though nothing had happened. Ominis, ever composed, returned to his usual calm demeanor, seemingly unaffected. But Sebastian couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that he’d just missed something important.

"Alright," Imelda declared, clapping her hands and breaking the moment. "That’s enough emotional poetry for one day. Who’s up for a game of Exploding Snap?"

The group groaned and laughed, their attention shifting back to lighter topics as the tension finally eased. But Sebastian remained quiet, his thoughts lingering on Ominis’s words and the glance he wasn’t supposed to notice.

They see the world not for what it takes away but for what it still has to offer.

The words echoed in his mind, stirring something he couldn’t quite name. He didn’t know who Ominis’s result was about, but the weight of it—and the way Evangeline had looked at him afterward—told Sebastian one thing for certain.

It wasn’t just a quiz. Not to Ominis. Not to Evangeline. And certainly not to him.

Read more stories about Sebastian and Evangeline

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[sailorgoon13]

Sebastian Sallow

Basics:

Full Name: Sebastian Sallow

Nickname: Seb, Sebby, or whatever clever name Ominis comes up with

Gender: Male

Date of Birth: 18 November, 1874

Heritage: Scottish

Blood Status: Pure Blood

Wand: Yew, Dragon Heartstring, 11", Slightly Yielding

Appearance:

Hair Color: Chestnut Brown

Eye Color: Rich Dark Brown

Skin Tone: Fair

Height: 5'11"

Body Type: Athletic and lean. Agile

Style: White button-down shirt and green tie. Suit jacket, in shades of dark green or silver. When not at Hogwarts he wears something practical and relaxed. He isn't one for fashion, just as long as he looks like he tried then it is an accomplishment

Features: Freckles!! His hair falls effortlessly over his forehead in waves. The natural, slightly unkempt style of his hair reflects Sebastian's casual confidence and rebellious spirit

Personality:

Traits: Charismatic, Determined, Optimistic, Fearless, Protective, Complex

Likes: Knowledge, Dueling, Quidditch, Forbidden Magic

Dislikes: Failure, Authority, Uncertainty, Injustice, Goblins

Hobbies: Crossed Wands, Quidditch, Breaking into the Restricted Section

Fears: Anne dying, Being sent to Azkaban, Ominis and Y/N hating him

Family and Friends:

Father: Unknown

Died when he and Anne were young

Was a Professor

Mother: Unknown

Died when they were young

Was a Professor, as well

Siblings: Anne Sallow (Twin)

Was always Sebastian's best friend

When she became cursed, it hurt Sebastian more than it hurt her

Friends: Ominis Gaunt, Y/N

Magic:

Special Abilities: Mastery of Unforgivable Curses, skilled duelist,

Boggart: Solomon

Patronus: Beagle

Polyjuice: It would have a deep, ebony color with swirling wisps of silver or green and would look like a syrup or a molasses. Smell smoky incense and the faintest trace of something sweet and floral. There is a sharp tang of bitterness with a lingering sweetness, like the taste of ripe blackberries.

Amortentia: Old books, Smoke from a campfire, Salty sea air and Cedar

Backstory:

Sebastian and his twin sister Anne grew up in the Scottish countryside, under the guidance of their parents who were esteemed professors. From a young age, their parents instilled in them the value of knowledge, curiosity, and the pursuit of truth. Sebastian admired his parents deeply, wanting to have their optimism, open-mindedness, and boundless eagerness for learning.

Tragedy struck when a lamp in their cellar, tainted with an undetectable toxin, claimed the lives of their beloved parents. Orphaned, Sebastian and Anne were taken in by their uncle Solomon Sallow, who lived in the secluded village of Feldcroft. However, their relationship with their uncle was strained; Solomon, a stern and unforgiving man who was also an ex-Auror had clashed with Sebastian's refusal to accept Anne's situation.

During this time, Sebastian found peace in the companionship of his friend, Ominis Gaunt, who he met in their first year at Hogwarts. Along with Anne, the trio would often retreat to the hidden sanctuary of the Undercroft, where they practiced spells and played Gobstones, shielded from the prying eyes of the world above. Ominis, like Sebastian, harbored secrets and shadows of his own, forging a bond of trust that endured more than most.

As Anne's condition worsened, Sebastian's desperation drove him to the forbidden arts of the Dark Arts, seeking a cure that eluded even the most skilled healers. When Solomon intervened, tensions reached a boiling point, resulting in a fateful confrontation that shattered their already fragile family.

Despite the turmoil, Sebastian found comfort in his friendships, including one with a fellow student, MC. Their bond, forged in the pain of their fifth year, provided Sebastian with a glimmer of hope in the darkness that threatened to consume him.

Amidst the chaos and upheaval of his adolescence, Sebastian found refuge on the Quidditch pitch, channeling his inner turmoil and anguish into the fierce competition of the game. Joining the Slytherin Quidditch team as both a Beater and Keeper, he found fleeting moments of freedom and purpose in the rush of wind and the thunder of the Quaffle.

Academics:

Best Subject: DADA

Favorite Subject: DADA

Favorite Professor: Hecat

Worst Subject: Astronomy

Least Favorite Subject: Divination

Least Favorite Professor: Onai

Student Life:

Despite his penchant for rule-breaking and his involvement in dark magic, Sebastian was a dedicated and studious student. He excelled in his classes, particularly DADA and Potions

His rebellious nature often landed him in hot water with the faculty. His frequent detentions for sneaking into the library's Restricted Section became a badge of honor

To find a distraction from all of his inner turmoil, he joined the Quidditch team and found it to be a good way to release his emotions

**All screenshots are mine, collage is mine but pictures used were found on Pinterest**

Template: @hazyange1s

[gyattoru]

I fully believe that if Ominis weren’t a Gaunt he’d be sorted into Hufflepuff. And if Sebastian wasn’t sorted into Slytherin, he’d be sorted into Ravenclaw.

No I won’t elaborate (for now, you know I love to elaborate on things).

[dvinaamesca]

[deathlysallows]

(I will make this outfit mod for Sebastian's companion available soon, I just have to remember to export it in a standard size as he is actually extra tall here haha)