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Where Love and Confusion Begin (Ominis Gaunt x F!Reader)

"Do you really think I could be that cruel and careless to you?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

December 25th, 1893 The Yule Ball... Wear your best formal attire-

Everywhere I turned I seemed to hear about. Countless after countless bouts of excited, restless chatter would always manage to come echoing back to me. And while I understood why most would be excited about the prospect of a ball, I on the other hand couldn't help but feel... downright anxious about it all.

I knew it sounded silly, completely dramatic. Afterall, I had been through a lot worse things during my time in Hogwarts. But for some reason, my mind, my thoughts, my worries just couldn't relax. And when they did for a short while, they'd slowly begin to drift back onto one person...

Ominis Gaunt.

I was practically infatuated with the man. For a multitude of reasons, besides his obviously good looks. He was marvelously kind, had a whit so quick it could make your head spin, and could be snarky and sarcastic one minute. But caring and loving the next.

Ominis simply made it hard not to love him.

But he did, however, make it hard for me to even think about going to the Yule Ball with him. We were friends, close ones despite the fact that I had only been at Hogwarts for a couple of years. Our friendship would be something I'd always treasure, something I would never want to ruin because my love for him clouded my judgement.

And the thought of losing him because of that was enough to make me nauseous.

"Enjoying a cat nap, are we?"

I slowly cracked open one of my eyes, wincing slightly at the beam of sunlight that had been slowly warming me as I laid down in one of the many alcoves at Hogwarts. But once my vision focused fully, Sebastian came into view. Grinning down at me cheekily.

"I wasn't napping." I muttered, forcing myself to sit up. "Just enjoying the sun.

"You could've gone outside for that." Sebastian suggested, now sitting down on the floor too.

"It's freezing, you sit outside for an hour." I replied, a little too snappy for my liking.

But Sebastian wasn't fazed by my crass mood in the slightest. In fact, Sebastian seemed to find me to be quite humorous. "Aww, is someone missing their nap partner?" He teased, making me grumble in annoyance.

"Oh, shut it, I don't know what you're talking about."

Sebastian let an exaggerated sigh, leaning back slightly on his hands before continuing. "You both are insufferably stubborn you know that right? Ominis was in a terrible mood after History of Magic because you decided to ditch today."

I scoffed at Sebastian theatrics, not even bothering to hide the fact that I had rolled my eyes. "History of Magic is painfully boring, anyone who goes to that class will be in a ba-"

"History of Magic is tiring enough, but her not being their made it worse." Sebastian deadpanned, trying his hardest to imitate Ominis's tone.

"Well, I am very entertaining." I replied sarcastically. "And can you really blame me for skipping out on that class? I swear if I hear one more time how many wizarding cloaks were destroyed during the Goblin Rebellion, I'll lose whatever mind I have left."

"It's 632." Sebastian couldn't help but laugh at my less than amused expression.

"Are you finished? Or did you actually approach me to talk about something important?"

"Yes." He began, clearing his throat. "If you would stop changing the topic that is."

"I am not-"

"Ah, ah, that's the same thing Ominis said to me after classes. You two are so incredibly in sync today." Sebastian teased. "It's quite adorable really. He's moody, you're moody, you're happy, he's smiling up a storm, if you've disappeared to... god knows where, a majority of the time he's right there with you."

It annoyed me to no end how right on the money he is...

"What're you getting at Sebastian?" I questioned meekly, trying my hardest to ignore the flush I was beginning to feel on my cheeks.

"I think we both know exactly what I'm getting at." Sebastian spoke bluntly, raising up from the stone-cold floor. "Maybe you should ask him, Ominis can get into his head rather easily. And you know that can stop him from saying what he wants to."

Sebastian then walked away, leaving me practically dumbfounded on the floor.

Ask him... ask him... merlin I don't know if that idea made me feel better or worse. The idea of being rejected by him was painful. But maybe if I asked to go with him as friends that it would work...

"Sebastian, you might've actually had a good idea for once."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I had decided to skip dinner for the night, not feeling too hungry after the talk I had with Sebastian. I figured a moment alone would give me enough clarity to decide whether I'd actually bite the bullet and asked Ominis to the ball.

"Ah, there you. I was starting to think you were avoiding me."

But a moment alone in this school was a rarity... Of course, he was here... why wouldn't he be?

"Ominis, I figured you would've been in the Great Hall for dinner." I greeted, trying to keep my nervous laughter from bubbling up to the surface.

"Wasn't hungry." He answered nonchalantly, turning back to face the fireplace of our common room.

I stood there for a moment, in silence, completely unsure of what to say next. But Ominis beat me to it, filling the silence before I got the chance to.

"Aren't you going to sit?" He began, I hadn't even noticed he had turned his head again, his eyes somehow managing to land right on me.

Just like they always managed to do...

"Or were you really avoiding me?"

That sentence managed to snap me out of my tongue-tied state. That nervous laugh I held in before leaked out before I had the chance to stop it this time around. "You know I wasn't avoiding you."

I finally moved from my spot, walking over and sitting next to him on the couch. I couldn't help but gaze over at him. His hand was lightly raised in the air, his wand beaming red at the tip as a book rested in his lap. A small smile curved his pale pink lips, he looked completely at ease. Which after the past couple of years was a nice sight to see.

"You're nervous." Ominis muttered, and though his voice was soft, I couldn't help but tense up. "You keep bouncing your leg... I know you only do that when you're anxious about something."

"I didn't even realize I was doing it." I admitted, leaning back into the cush couch cushions.

Ominis copied my movements, leaning back against the cushions a mere moment later. His book was now abandoned, the pages of it turning carelessly on their own accord. "Something on your mind?"

I took in a steady breath; thankful it had not trembled like I thought it would. "Maybe." I answered coyly, making Ominis's small smile bloom slightly.

"Are those thoughts the reason I've hardly heard from you all day?"

damn it damn it damn it... think of something to say quick... don't come off as suspicious...

"Hey, maybe you were the one avoiding me. Last time I checked I haven't heard from you too much either today." I deflected, trying to sound humorous.

"Hmm," Ominis hummed. "You've got a good point there... but I have a reason for my... disappearance." He added vaguely.

I leaned forward trying to get a good look at his face. The shadows of the fire danced along his face, illuminating his marble eyes beautiful. His expression was humorous too, and I knew exactly why...

"You know I hate it when you leave me hanging like that." I grumbled, making him let out a smooth chuckle.

"I merely wanted to avoid the constant chatter of the Yule Ball is all. It's beginning to become a bit... excessive."

"You two are so in sync today."

I shook my head, trying to get the words Sebastian had spoken out of my head. "You're telling me, you should hear what I wake up to everyday as of late."

"I could only image." Ominis replied, chuckling once again. "I would rather not hear about something I know I'm not going to."

I could feel my heart sink at his words. I hadn't even thought of the fact that he might not want to go at all.

"N-not going to? Why wouldn't you go?" I questioned curiously.

"A blind person spending their night alone at a ball doesn't exactly sound to enticing to me."

"Oh." Is all I could think to say, I leaned back into the couch contemplating my next move carefully.

Should I ask him... what if he just really doesn't want to go. I don't wanna look stupid.

Screw it...

"Would you want to go with me?"

I tense at my own words, not daring to move to see Ominis's reaction. My heart was racing, so much so it felt as though my pulse was about to burst through my skin. And the silence I was met with after I asked was completely unsettling.

Merlin why did I listen to Seb-

"It's a bit untraditional for a girl to ask a boy to a ball, isn't it?" He pondered.

Okay, it's not a total no... that's a relief.

"Maybe, but it's not like that has to be a bad thing." I replied hopefully. "And besides, it'll be fun to go with someone who... so entertaining to you." I added, attempting to sound boastful, but it just came across as a bit... jumbled.

Another bout of silence came, and in those few moments of the quiet. Part of me wished I was a legilimens, so I could see what was going on inside his mind... so I could hear what he thought of all of this.

When finally, I got my answer.

"I think it'd be nice to go with you."

Oh, my Merlin he actually said yes...

I couldn't stop the smile that began to form, a bubbling shyness began to boil to the surface. And my heart still definitely felt like it was going to beat out of its chest. With what little shred of coolness I had left, I finally was able to reply.

"It's a date...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then, the 25th rolled around... a day I was dreading at one point. But now felt so excited about it that I couldn't sleep.

I felt giddy, or like a swarm of butterflies was fluttering throughout me. I felt restless, I couldn't stay in one place, and I fought the urge to not pace most of the night. But for some reason, I couldn't seem to care... and with every passing hour that I stayed awake, it just revitalized me.

Though, judging from the bags in my eyes, my body didn't exactly share the same sentiment I did.

But thank goodness for Samantha Dale...

I never would've guessed she had such a knack for Herbology. Yet, when she let me up into her dorm in the Ravenclaw tower, after we agreed to get ready together. A whole spread of concoctions was set up.

"You know there is such a thing as beauty sleep." Samantha teased as she stared at my reflection in her vanity.

She carefully places a mint green cream under my eyes, making a pleasant tingling sensation hit me. "That'll clear those bags up in no time!" She stated confidently.

"Thank you." I began to bounce my leg again as the nerves began to creep up on me.

"Nervous?" Samantha asked, sitting down on the edge of her bed.

"Is it obvious?" I asked in reply, letting out a shaky chuckle.

"Just a smidge." She spoke considerately. "But I don't think you need any reason to fret. I find you and Ominis to be a lovely pairing."

My eyes shot up from my hands to gaze at her and I could feel an eyebrow raise questioningly. "P-paring? as in?"

"A couple?" Samantha replied, just as questioningly as I did.

"Oh... we aren't together... like that." I muttered sheepishly.

Samantha chuckled, looking over at me incredulously. "There's no way! Honestly, a lot of people already assume you two are together."

"Really?"

Samantha scoffed, shaking her head at me. "Look, I've seen the way you look at him. And I've seen the way he is around you. People who aren't in love don't act like that."

"Hey, I'm not denying that I've fallen for him." I admitted honestly. "It's just... a hard thing to say to someone you've grown so close to."

Samantha just eyed me for a moment, seemingly taking my words in. "You think he doesn't feel the same way, do you?"

I felt my lips curve into a bittersweet smile. My sights falling onto my hands again. "It's hard to believe that he would."

"Hmm... but, you two are going to the ball together?"

I chuckled at her puzzled words before nodding my head. "Sounds maddening, doesn't it?"

Samantha was quick to shake her head, a sudden, bright smile coming second later. "Not maddening, but an opportunity. You should say something to him!"

"Eh..."

"No, no, just listen for a second!" Samantha exclaimed. "It'd be the perfect opportunity to, honestly this sounds like something that would be in a romance novel!"

"But this isn't a romance novel."

"Exactly! So, it'll be even more beautiful, when the pair of you are slow dancing... and the music and the others around you fade because all you can focus on is yourselves. And before you know it, you two will kiss."

That truly does sound picture perfect...

"Why would it be more beautiful?"

Samantha lovesick smile faded into fondness. "Because it'll be real, and I'll know that the love you feel will be real as well."

I took in a deep breath, trying not to get consumed by the possibilities Samantha planted in my head. But I simply couldn't...

"You have such a way with words." I huffed playfully. "So, I'm really going to do this? I'm... I'm going to tell him that I... love him."

Samantha nodded; her expression full of enthusiasm. "That's exactly what you're going to do! You'll arrive as friends and leave together reveling in love."

"Won't leave tonight as friends." I muttered moreso to myself to... pep myself up.

But Samantha managed to hear me. "Exactly." She spoke, her tone full of satisfaction. "Now, enough chit chat. We must get our hair done." She added, jumping up from her bed before walking over to me.

"Yes let's..."

As I gazed at myself in the mirror, and I felt the occasional tugs of my hair, my mind began to wander. And soon enough, it wandered right onto Ominis. I was sure he was being a lot more composed than me. But part of me wished that he was just as giddy as I was. Or had thought of little scenarios about how out night would go like I had.

But I seriously doubt that would be going through his mind..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cross, shift, pull, tie...

"Ominis?"

Cross, pull... shift, tie

"Uh, Ominis?"

Tie... tie... tie...

"Ominis! Are you trying to fix your tie or choke yourself?" My friends' words were humorous. And I could hear him try to, but fail to hold back a laugh.

"I couldn't tell you honestly." I admitted, laughing myself as I attempted to tug my fingers out of the knot, I managed to get them in.

I could hear Sebastian begin to walk over to me before I suddenly felt a slight tugging on my undone tie. "You can slick back and swirl your hair into... merlin knows how many swirls; you can somehow manage to perfectly button hundreds of those tiny damn things. But you can't fix a tie?" Sebastian muttered humorously.

I let out an exaggerated sigh before I replied. "I can't be perfect at everything can I?"

"Oh, shove off." Sebastian rebutted, breaking out into a laughter. "There, now that looks like a bowtie... you're welcome princess." He added mockingly.

I sighed, attempting to give him a glare. "Don't call me that."

Sebastian bellowed out another laugh before his footsteps began to wander in our room once again. "What would you prefer I call you?"

"Not that." I scoffed, carefully sitting back down onto my bed.

My thoughts began to push to the forefront of my mind, and it didn't take too long for it to fixate itself on her. Since she asked me, I couldn't help but spend many nights thinking about us... about her. Or how tonight would go, if by the end of the night we'd still be nothing more than friends... or something more.

Merlin did I wish we'd end up being something more. I don't know how much longer I can keep up this... facade with her.

"Ah, what's going on in that mind of yours?" Sebastian questioned but before I even attempted to respond he cut me off. "Is it her?"

"When did you get so bloody... observant?"

"I always have been, dear friend of mine. You just never bothered to notice." Sebastian boasted, I could only imagine how cocky his demeanor was as he spoke.

"My apologies, I've simply been too distracted by all the dabbling in the Dark Arts you did." I replied sarcastically.

"Hey, I stopped... eventually." Sebastian grumbled. "S-stop changing the subject... you two are way too good at it. You must've rubbed off on her."

I simply smiled at his words, soaking in the thought of her once again. The smooth sound of her voice, her raspberry iris perfume, her touch. I could drown happily in the thoughts of her, day in and day out.

I couldn't help but not to... I was hopelessly in love with her. And part of me was terrified because of it. But it was a fear I was thankful to experience in some way, and I'd experience it time and time again if it meant I could have her.

But I knew it my heart that I would never get that lucky...

"You should tell her, Ominis." Sebastian suggested, taking me out of my head once again.

I shook my head at his words, doubt began to replace the feelings of fondness I felt before. "I don't know..."

"What's there not to know? Tonight is the perfect opportunity to."

"I don't want to ruin things with her." I muttered lowly.

"Trust me, you wouldn't." Sebastian reassured me. "And, it's better to say something to her now. 'Cause it'll eat away at you mate, and you don't want that."

"How can you be so sure?" I questioned, genuinely wondering how his mind could work so optimisticly.

Sebastian let out a soft scoff, as if he was stating the obvious. "Friends don't act the way you two act with each other. And last time I checked I never saw you and Anne cuddled up on the common room couch."

"Well-"

"Or had Anne playing with your hair while you napped on her lap."

"Okay but-"

"And I know for a fact that I've never seen Anne get... viscerally envious because she heard a group of girls talking about trying to slip you a love potion."

"Okay, okay, I get your point." I managed to speak, letting out a huff. "I understand what you're saying, I do."

"Ah, finally, you admit I'm right. Your life would be so much easier if you said that more." Sebastian boasted once again. "So, you're going to tell her tonight then?"

"I am." I spoke strongly, though I couldn't help but feel that doubt that had stopped me so many times before seep through. "I can't believe I'm going to, but I am."

Sebastian sounded thrilled as he let out an elated laugh. "Finally! Seriously, watching you two pinning over each other was starting to get old."

"Sorry for the inconvenience." I apologized, rolling my eyes at Sebastian's theatrics.

"Don't beat yourself up over it." Sebastian replied nonchalantly.

"Now let's get a move on, you don't want to keep your lady waiting too long now do we?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The second I left the Samantha's dorm and made my journey back to the Slytherin common room. It was like my nerves continuously dashed away with each step I took. I felt levelheaded, as cool as one could be. It almost eerie to me, how I felt so nervous one minute but then completely calm the next.

Things just... felt right, like whatever was bound to happen tonight was simply meant to be. And I couldn't wait to spend my night with him, gently swaying as time seemingly ceased to exist.

Damn Samantha and her romance novels.

"Well, someone knows how to dress up." I turned my head, following the sound of Sebastian voice.

But any reply I attempted to come up with was lost the second I saw Ominis.

Green looks amazing on him...

"Wow," I began, sitting up from the arm of the plush couch. "You look fantastic."

Ominis was stood there, that same, at ease smile I looked forward to seeing so much greeted me tauntingly. "I'm sure you do as well." He spoke gently, my hands were then lightly gripped and placed in his hold.

My eyes mindlessly wandered down to them, and the longer my hands were place in his the more I realized how warm his felt compared to mind.

"Well, on that note, I think I'll leave you two lovebirds alone." Sebastian teased, quickly exiting the common room soon after.

The silence that came after Sebastian left was comfortable. There was no pressure or... plaguing thoughts to think of something to say. It was as if we were taking each other in, or simply just wanted a moment to ourselves.

I began to trace the faint lines I could feel on his palms before moving over to the next. Ominis's smooth laughter came soon after, making me look up to gage his reaction.

"Reading palms now, are you?"

"Mhm," I replied, smiling softly. "You want to know what I see?"

"Yes, very much so."

"Okay, I see..." I paused, tracing over a particularly deep line, one that almost felt like a scar. "That you have great hands."

I could see that he was taken aback, but not uncomfortable. A light, red flush soon bloomed on his cheeks, illuminating his blue marble eyes.

"And, that your cheeks will glow with a marvelous red tinge." I added whimsically.

"Stop it." Ominis muttered, a light laugh following his meek words.

"Fine." I relented easily, smoothly dropping his hands before hooking my arm with his. "We have a ball to get to anyway."

It didn't take too long to find our way to the great hall, that had been transformed into an icy yet stunning ballroom. The sounds of the classical were an easy guide for the pair of us.

"There seems to be a lot of people here." Ominis spoke, I could feel his arm tense under my hold.

"Seems too." I replied nonchalantly. "Doesn't surprise me too much, after all, all we've heard about these past few weeks is the ball.

"I just... don't want to bump into anyone."

I took my eyes off of the crowd and back towards him. He looked nervous, unsure of himself.

Can't have that...

"Oh, don't worry about that, you won't." I reassured him, giving his arm a light squeeze. "That's what your lovely date is here for." I added teasingly, bumping my hip against his.

Though the worry was still evident on his face, Ominis had begun to smile. Hopefully I was able to ease his nerves slightly. "You definitely are lovely."

"Hmm, so are you." I complimented, before gently guiding him through the crowded hall. "More than lovely." I grinned as I saw his cheeks flushed again.

"Darling..." Though he sentence stopped once I did, finally managing to find an open enough place to dance.

Wordlessly, I clasped his hand, Ominis seemed to catch onto what I was doing and was quick to glide his hand from my ribs to the middle of my back. My breath became caught in my throat at his touch and my posture straightened.

Don't tense, don't tense... we're just dancing.

"Is this okay?" He nearly whispered; I hadn't even noticed how close we were to each other, as we glided... cheek to cheek.

"P-perfect." The breath that was got in my throat finally escaped as I spoke. "Wouldn't want to be in this embrace with anyone else."

"I don't think you mean that." Ominis stated bashfully, delicately turning us around before we began to glide again.

"I know that I do." I answered defiantly. "I honestly couldn't imagine dancing with somebody else."

"Really?" He didn't sound completely doubtful this time around, honestly, he began to sound a bit humorous.

"Are you doubting my honesty, Ominis?" I asked, trying to match his playful tone.

"No, no... i just think you haven't... considered your options." He replied carefully, trying his best to articulate his words.

"Hmm, let's me think then... Amit? Nice, but no. Garreth? He's nice as well but not my type... and he's definitely into Natty."

"Sebastian?" Ominis chimed in, his face becoming void of much emotion.

"No, I imagine he'd step on my feet all night. That sounds less than pleasant does it not?"

"You have a fair point." Ominis agreed, before a slightly sinister grin took over. "Leander."

I grumbled at the mention of the infamous Gryffindor's name, the vibrations of Ominis's laugh could be felt soon after. "Don't make me retch."

Ominis's hand began rub circles into my back, I began to smile at the sensation, closing my eyes as he began to lull me into relaxation.

But then...

"So, why, would you choose me?" He asked, my eyes opening once again.

"Wh-why are you-"

"I just want to know." He cut me off gently. "It's been baffling to me as to why you chose to go with me."

"Because I know you-"

"You know Sebastian quite well."

"Not in the same way I do you... not in the same way that you know me too." I explained, finding it hard to believe I was starting to be so open about something I was so used to shoveling down.

But I wasn't going to stop now.

"You... you make me feel safe, and I know that I can trust you with anything I come to you with."

"I'm not always the most... understanding with some of the things you've spoken to me about." Ominis argued, as if he was trying to downplay my points.

"And I love how honest you are with me. You don't fill me with false confidence, or some... mindless delusions. You're my voice of reason, my tie to reality."

His grip began to tighten on my, and I could see his jaw begin to tense. "Reality isn't always the sweetest."

"You make it sweet."

He stopped his movements at my words, his eyes shut, and his head lowered, shaking. "Stop it." He muttered lowly.

"Why?" I spoke quietly. "Why do you want me to stop?"

"You don't mean it, you, you can't mean it."

"You know I'm no liar." I stated bluntly. "I mean every word... and I mean it when I say that I love-"

A harsh bump made the pair of us stumble, our hold finally coming apart. My words fell mindlessly, like the many specks of enchanted snow that surrounded us.

"Oh I'm sorry!" A voice spoke, clearly beggining to panic at what they had just done.

"It's fine don't-" The sound of hurried footsteps stop me once again, and I didn't need to turn around to know who they had belonged to. I didn't bother to try and finish my sentence, instead opting to hurry after Ominis before I lost him completely.

That wand really did imprint this place in his mind...

I could hardly keep up with him as he ran through the mostly desolate hall. The only people who were lingering in them were broken hearted girls, and the occasional... handsy couples.

Thankfully, before Ominis could fully disappear from my sight. I managed to see him slip outside into the courtyard. I hurried toward the large double doors, hoping I had the chance to catch him.

"Ominis wait!" I called out, my breath desperately trying to calm itself.

He was at the now frozen fountain, leaning against the stone tensely. "Why are you doing this to me?" He asked through clenched teeth.

I stepped down from the snow-covered stone steps, carefully approaching him. "Doing what?"

"Toying with me like this!" His voice was trembling, and he was clearly upset.

Was I too forward? Did he not take what I was saying seriously?

"Toying with you?" I repeated distantly. "Do you really think I could be that cruel and careless to you?"

He turned his head toward me, his eyes seemingly swimming in emotions he was struggling to contain.

"Ominis, my emotions, what I've said tonight, was never a game. It's real to me and it always has been." I admitted, feelings of vulnerability began to creep in. "I- I honestly, don't know how much blunter I need to be for you to believe me but, whatever it takes I'll do it!"

"Darling," Ominis called out fondly, he took in a deep breath before he continued. Most likely wanting to compose himself. "I'm sorry I... It's my mind toying with me, not you."

I grasped his hands, gripping them in hopes of emphasizing my point. "Well, tell your mind to stuff it." I huffed, Ominis bit his lip, holding back a bout of laughter.

I then laid my head against his chest, and I felt him rest his against mine soon after. "Friends don't act this way with one another, do they?" His voice was deep, vibrating slightly through his chest.

"No... and most don't cuddle by the fireplace or... spend all night talking, not even caring about how exhausted they felt because... they were with each other.

I felt him drop my hands from his before his arms wrapped themselves around me. "I treasured those nights, you know that?"

"Feelings mutual." I spoke against his chest, taking in a deep breath of his cologne. "And I hope they're still mutual when I tell you that I've fallen in love with you, Ominis."

My heart at that point felt like it was about to burst through my chest. But at the same time, it felt as though a weight had been lifted off of it.

I had never felt so free yet so... terrified at the same time.

One of his hands that had been embracing me began to travel up my body. Undoubtably leaving goosebumps in its wake. My jaw was then cupped, and my breath stuttering once I felt his thumb gently tugged on my lower lip. Before gently tilting my head up toward him.

"Definitely mutual." Ominis muttered, his lips tauntingly ghosting over mine. "Is this okay, love?"

We weren't leaving tonight as friends.

I closed the gap that kept our lips apart, and with that action, my breath dissipated with it. But I honestly could care less about that. Not when it was stolen away because of Ominis, not when he every touch of his lips and hands warmed nearly every inch of me.

Not when I found out that he actually loved me too.

He pulled away a bit too soon for my liking. A tremor quaked through my body. And I couldn't tell if it was cause my body was finally aware of the cold. Or if I simply missed the sensation of Ominis's touch.

Ominis attempted to warm me up, rubbing my arms as he pulled me closer to him once again. "Cold? Would you like to head back inside?"

A mindless smile curved my lips, a hazy wave of lovesickness came soon after. "No, being here is perfect... nearly perfect."

"Nearly? What can I do to make things picturesque for you?"

"Just... kiss me again, please."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello, I hope you all enjoyed this fic. It was actually a request someone sent in, and I absolutely loved writing it!

Sorry if there were some typos. I tried to proofread it as I went along but sometimes things slip by me. I have another request sent in that I'm going to work on next. But if you liked this one and had an idea of your own. Send it in and I'll gladly take the time to write it for you! Until next time, Illusion.

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thekinkpopstandsforkrackheads · 1 day ago

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sebastian: okay let's play 21 questions to get to know each other

mc: okay! i'll go first: what's your favorite animal —

sebastian: olive green. what's your opinion on early marriage, dare I say after graduation?

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thekinkpopstandsforkrackheads · 1 day ago

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getting sick headcanons

this has been in my mind (and drafts) rent-free for a while since i’m not feeling well so, enjoy 😊what the npcs would do if you were ill. gender-neutral! only the companions + garreth for this one; i don’t have a lot of every rn :(

sebastian: oh shit, you’re sick? you? the person who can do anything? what do you need? soup? tea? a hug? cookies? no, he’s not freaking out. YOU’RE freaking out! he’s fine and completely totally not worried. he’ll get nurse blainey, professor sharp- hell, if you don’t take it easy, he might carry you to st mungo’s himself. stay in bed and let him worry about you or he might have an aneurysm.

ominis: unlike sebastian, he knows how to keep a cool head. he’d still be worried beyond belief, even if you just had a simple cold, but he would know just what to do. fever? cold compress and a visit to nurse blainey. he’ll get a pepperup potion for you, fluff your pillows, anything you need to be comfortable until you feel better.

garreth: you’re not feeling well? why not try this potion he’s been working on? it’ll work this time, for sure! well, if you don’t want that, he’ll make his mum’s best recipe for chicken noodle soup, a staple of his childhood. you want to be alone and take a nap to recover? alright, but he’ll sit right outside the door until you wake up, probably working on another health potion idea. cuddles, kisses, whatever you need he will provide.

leander: he will probably get sick at the same time as you. weak immune system. he would put your needs first but honestly he’s kind of a useless lump when he’s not feeling well (endearing). he will hide under the blankets and cry. tell his mother he loves her because he’s a little drama queen who is convinced he’s dying. (ENDEARING). he will drag you into his pillow fort and you cuddle together until you feel better :)

natty: she’s the first one to notice you’re sick. you might not even realise you’re getting ill, but she’s right on it. you’re going to go take on a poacher camp today? well, haven’t you noticed your nose has been a bit stuffy lately? maybe you should sit by the fire and let her handle it this time. she’s ready with a blanket before you even realise you have the chills. she doesn’t need her mother’s crystal ball to see what’s coming when you’re unwell. just listen to her intuition- she definitely knows best.

amit: give him a minute. he’s sure he’s read in a book somewhere how to make a cure for whatever is ailing you. even better than pepperup potion. eh, probably. other than that, he’ll sit by your bed, make you some soothing tea, and read to you. the next day, he will probably also be sick, and then you can return the favour :)

poppy: she would have no idea what to do. if you were a creature, she’d be in her absolute element, but she’s still not so great at interacting with people, and she will flounder. just… go lay down for a bit. she’ll get the nurse and make sure you’re very well taken care of <3

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thekinkpopstandsforkrackheads · 1 day ago

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26 with Ominis?

wait this one fits him soooo well <3 thanks so much for the ask, bestie!

link to prompts list!

prompt: ‘please… say something.’

word count: 290

warnings: none! just a short sweet thing.

Please, Say Something

It had been a terribly long day for the both of you. You were pretty sure you’d failed spectacularly at your Astronomy exam, and Ominis had lost his wand for the better part of an hour. After an incredibly distressing period of helping him look for it, while he sat nearly in tears at the prospect of losing his one way to “see,” you both needed a while to relax.

You sat beside him in the Room of Requirement, squeezing his shoulder reassuringly. The wand incident had only just concluded about half an hour ago, and Ominis was still very much on edge.

He had his wand squeezed so tight in his hand, his knuckles were practically white. “Thank you,” he said softly. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

You smile at him, hoping he can at least sense the gentle expression on your face. “Of course, Ominis. I’ll always be here to help.”

Ominis smiled slightly, his wide, unseeing blue eyes almost looking at you. “I mean it. I…” He took a deep breath, steeling himself. “I have no idea what I would do without you, MC. Ever since that first day, I’ve always known there was something special about you.” He cleared his throat. A slight blush coloured his cheeks. “MC, I think… I’ve fallen in love with you..”

He stiffened a bit as your hand dropped from his shoulder. Your jaw dropped slightly at the confession. Your mind was racing; you had no idea what to say.

“MC?” Ominis said tentatively after several moments of silence. “MC, I… just, please… say something.”

You finally snapped out of your daze, and laughed lightly, leaning in to kiss his cheek.

“Ominis… I love you, too.”

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thekinkpopstandsforkrackheads · 1 day ago

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summoning you

characters: leander prewett x house neutral gn!mc word count: 1991 warnings: none! summary: after losing one too many rounds of summoner's court to them, leander becomes suspicious of MC's alleged skill at the game. a/n: for @selenedarling, i LOVED your prompt! i hope you like! this wasn't beta-read but its fine we ball!! ao3 link

“Oh, not again.” MC stomps their foot in frustration as their blue ball slowly rolls off the Summoner’s Court board and thuds into the grass below. Only one of theirs remains on the board, directly in the centre of the 20 point mark. On the other hand, the three red balls are scattered across the board- two on 20, one on 30.

“Aha! I win! I win! Take that!” Leander bounces up and down, throwing his hands in the air. He grins over at MC. “Er, sorry. You, uh, played well, too.” He rubs the back of his neck sheepishly, cheeks going a bit pink.

If it were anyone else, MC might have cursed them into next week, but they can’t bring themself to be very annoyed at Leander. To be quite honest, he’s cute when he’s excited, and he doesn’t get much more excited than when he wins at Summoner’s Court. “Ah, don’t worry. I’ll beat your ass next time, just you wait.”

Leander snickers. “You always say that, and you always lose. Er. Sorry. Again.”

“We’ll just have to see about that, won’t we?” MC flicks their wand, resetting the board. “Ready for another round?”

“Um, can’t. Have Herbology soon. It’s really good weather today, would be a shame not to take advantage of it for the plants.” He runs his fingers through his hair, mussing it a bit.

The sun is shining, and there’s hardly a cloud in the sky. Leander is right, it’s perfect weather for tending outdoors, especially with winter only a couple months away. Now is as good a time as any to give the plants some last days of sunshine. Suddenly, MC finds themself regretting having opted out of Herbology this year- it seems like Summoner’s Court is the only time they get to be around Leander anymore, and it’s quite frankly not enough. Letting him win over and over is all well and good, but they’d like to do something with him that doesn’t involve being dishonest, even if it’s only a white lie.

“Sounds like someone is afraid of a challenge,” they tease.

“Wh-what? No. Well.” He blushes again, looking away. Merlin, where does he get off being so adorable? MC will never understand it. “Perhaps, but I really do have class.”

“Which you’re going to be late for if you don’t hurry up.” Samantha Dale says loudly from beside the game board.

The pair of them jump. “Bloody hell, where did you come from?” Leander gasps, clutching at his chest.

Samantha rolls her eyes. “I’ve been trying to get your attention for the past several minutes, actually. Nice to know you were paying attention.”

“Ah, who can blame us? We were in the midst of a gripping competition.”

“I'm sure. You.” Samantha points at Leander. “Come. I will not be late because of you!”

MC frowns. Hmph. What’s she so eager about anyway? “Why don’t you just go ahead?”

Samantha stares at them. “Because whenever I go it alone, Violet McDowel ends up sitting next to me, and I would rather limit how long I’m around her, frankly. Prewett is a step up, I suppose.”

“Gee, thanks,” Leander mutters, hopping down from the wooden platform. “I feel so loved." He spares MC a last glance, a subtle flush creeping up his neck. “Er. See you later?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

They are not jealous as they watch Leander walk back to the castle with Samantha. It’s perfectly normal and platonic to feel itchy and mildly ill watching your good friend spend time with someone else. Not at all indicative at all of any underlying feelings that MC has definitely not been suppressing since the better half of last year. Nope, just normal everyday things to feel. Definitely. Not like they have a claim on him anyway. He’s perfectly free to hang around whoever he wants, even if it makes MC want to blow up a goblin encampment, just to feel something else.

⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅

“MC really is something,” Leander says conversationally. “Great at everything. Except for Summoner’s Court.”

Samantha gives him a strange look. “Yeah… funny, isn’t it?”

“Is it?”

“Well, yes.” They both take their seats next to each other at their potting stations. “You really don’t find it strange that they practically excel in all their classes, they won every Crossed Wands duel for the second year in a row, and also was champion of Summoner’s Court last year? They beat Professor Ronen at his own game, literally.”

Leander has gone a deep shade of red, so he busies himself poking at the leaves of his Mallowsweet plant in a pitiful attempt to distract himself. “That doesn’t-”

“They stopped a rebellion, destroyed a criminal empire in Hogsmeade, and saved the whole school from a goblin invasion, but they can’t beat you, of all people, at Summoner’s Court?”

“Hey!”

“Just saying,” Samantha shrugs. “It’s all a bit odd.”

As much as he’d like to argue, he knows Samantha has a point. It is odd. MC has never lost at anything else, ever, to the point it’s almost supernatural. From the day they first came to Hogwarts, surviving a dragon attack and then defeating a troll in the village circle, they’ve never been anything but extraordinary. How would they keep losing to him? He’s never been very good at anything at all, especially compared to MC. There’s a voice in the back of his head, almost always whispering that he’s not good enough.

“Oh, Merlin,” He groans, putting his face in his hands as the pieces fall together. “It’s pity. They’re letting me win out of pity because I’m terrible. For the love of-” Leander has never been so embarrassed in his life. It all adds up though, doesn’t it? How could MC ever fail, if not on purpose? Is he really so pathetic? How in the world hadn’t he noticed before someone else pointed it out? His older sister always does tease him for not being the most observant, and he always thought it was just that- teasing. Unfortunately for him, it seems like she couldn’t have been more correct.

“That might not be it,” Samantha says, gently patting his shoulder and looking mildly distressed. “I- perhaps they really aren’t very good! Probably, er, got rusty over the summer holiday, right?”

It’s appreciated, but her words do little to help. They both know damn well MC is throwing the games on purpose, but the question for him now is why? Why in Merlin’s name would they want to lose to him?

He’s determined to find out. Grabbing his Mallowsweet in its hand-painted terracotta pot,he gets out of his seat with it. “I’m going to take Mortimer outside for some proper sun.”

“I believe you,” she says flatly.

Leander sticks his tongue out at her as he struts out of the Greenhouses with the plant. He might not be good at Summoner’s Court, but he does know plants, and he knows how much Mortimer likes to feel real sun on his leaves. Would MC think it’s weird that he gives his plants names and personalities? Is it weird? Why does he even care?

“I’ll get to the bottom of it,” he mutters to the plant. “One way or another.”

He shoves open the castle doors, and spots MC still loitering by the Summoner’s Court board. There’s no other challengers, yet there they are, sat on the edge of the platform and kicking their feet. The way the sun shines down on them, making their eyes sparkle just so… it feels like a whole swarm of lacewing flies have taken flight in his belly. Glad he’s got Mortimer for emotional support (although taking a moment to cringe that he thinks of a plant as support), he walks over to them quickly, before he loses his nerve.

“Well, look who it is,” MC says with an easy smile, which does not help the flip-flopping of his stomach. “I thought you had Herbology.”

“I did. Er, I do.” Leander clears his throat. “Plants prefer, erm, real sunlight though, and Mortimer here really likes when the weather is so nice, so…”

MC tilts their head. “You name your plants? That’s sweet.”

“Y-yes. Er, that’s not, erm, the only reason I came back out, though. Um.” Just spit it out, you idiot! “Are you- have you…” He squeezes the pot to his chest, suddenly feeling foolish. Merlin, but he must look like an idiot, holding a plant and hardly able to get a real word out. “Have you been letting me win? At Summoner’s Court, I mean?”

“Uh.” MC’s face seems to go a bit pale. “Um. Would you be particularly upset if I have been?”

“I…” Leander sits next to them, shifting the pot so it rests in his lap. “Not especially. I’d just like to know… why?”

They shrug. “You always seem so happy when you win, you know? Thought I might let you have a few victories.”

“But so many times in a row? You haven’t won a single round in weeks!”

A silence stretches between them, slightly awkward. “I…” They chew their lip and don’t meet his eyes, which is wholly unlike them. “I dunno, I thought if you kept losing, you wouldn’t want to play anymore.” To avoid looking at Leander, they stare at his plant instead, picking off some of the withered leaves. “I miss spending time with you, is all. We hardly have any classes together anymore, and with Crossed Wands already over for the year, it feels like this is the only place we can really be around each other.”

What what what what what what what WHAT.

“W-we do have some classes together…”

“It’s not the same, though.” They stop fiddling with Mortimer and glance up at him.

Leander forgets how to form words for a moment. “I- I suppose not.”

“I…” MC takes a deep, steadying breath. “I really like you, and being around you, and you’re not like anyone else I know, and I just… wasn’t sure how to ask you to… spend time together. More time together.”

“Could’ve just said that,” Leander says with a light chuckle, although it feels like his chest is constricting. They like him? And being near him? How on earth is that possible? “But I do appreciate winning.”

“Oh, believe me, I know.” They elbow him, and he almost drops his plant. “Take that, I win every time, you lose!” They attempt to mimic his voice. Actually, it’s not a bad impression.

“I really like being around you, too.”

Now MC is blushing as well, something Leander never expected to see in all his life. Honestly, it suits them. “So, then… would you maybe want to go to the Three Broomsticks tonight? Like… as a date?”

He wants to jump up and down and say yes yes yes a million times yes absolutely as if you even have to ask, but…

“I would really love to, but I can’t tonight, I have to take care of Percy. But you’re welcome to join me in the Greenhouses… as a date. It could be fun!” A first date involving plants sounds like a grand time to Leander.

“Percy?”

“He’s a moonflower. They only bloom at night, but they’re good for potions and such, so… only if you want!” The burst of confidence has already faded, and the tiny voice is back, telling him that it’s just more pity, that MC doesn’t really want to be with him, of all people, and that his idea for a date is stupid. He tells it to shut up.

“I’d be more than happy to. A greenhouse date sounds lovely.” MC gives him that easy smile again, making his knees a bit weak. How are they so amazing? “You know, I always thought of the moon as a woman. Not a man called Percy.”

“Well, yeah, but Percy isn’t the moon, he’s a moonflower, there’s a difference.”

“Oh, shush, you.”

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thekinkpopstandsforkrackheads · 1 day ago

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MC: Sebastian, did you eat my apple?

Sebastian: An apple a day keeps the Healer away.

MC: I hope to become a Healer someday.

Sebastian: I hate apples.

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thekinkpopstandsforkrackheads · 1 day ago

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@foundthatoldzeppelinshirt what did u do to me...what in the wattpad is this... i only planned to do a few doodles but then i kept getting more brainrotted and things got out of hand LMAOO (and ofc i HAD to draw hockey player seb at SOME POINT bc its my duty as a canadian citizen🫡🍁🍁 O CANADA!!!)

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thekinkpopstandsforkrackheads · 1 day ago

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Oh god, i can't believe your asks still open, I read EVERY SINGLE WORK of you, your writing it's just heaven to me, and i crave for more ❤️❤️❤️

So, take your time but I would appreciate if you make a Gryffindor!MC Seeker x Sebastian Beater, the dynamic would be so much fun, i imagine then cheering for each other but the competition still there ✨

Hello, hello!

Someday I'll be a better person and get these asks out at a reasonable rate.

Until then: PLEASE FORGIVE ME.

Depression is a bitch, but, I really genuinely loved this ask and have been wanting to fulfill it for some time now.

I had a few various drafts typed up, but none ever really stuck.

I did, however, recently have a small idea that snowballed, and I'm thrilled to finally be able to fulfill your ask with a story I had a blast writing.

I apologize for the immense wait, but I hope you like it!

Thank you for your kindness, patience, and for submitted such a fun prompt.

Hope you've been well. 🩷

TW: Brief descriptions of injuries, mild and non-explicit mentions of NSFW.

Word count: ~2300

After the Fall

Sebastian Sallow tightened his grip on the smooth handle of his broomstick, staring out across the still waters of the Black Lake. Morning mist clung to the grass, wetting the hem of his Quidditch robes - not that he paid it much mind.

He’d taken to these quiet walks ever since the accident.

That moment during the last match when he’d deflected a rogue bludger from its path toward the Slytherin Seeker and instead sent it careening toward her. The memory clawed at him even now. Sebastian hadn't even realized what happened until it was several moments too late.

The thwack of his errant bludger striking true against flesh, the crack of a broomstick shattering, and a dull thud below on the green pitch that came far too late after the initial impact for her to have fallen from any reasonable distance in the air.

His girlfriend was Gryffindor's Seeker, so of course, the petite witch was sky-high and daring as ever while she searched for the golden ticket to their team's victory.

He hadn't even seen her fall, but the roar of the crowd fading to horrified silence just before she'd hit earth haunted him every night since, as had the image of all the deep crimson staining the pitch when he'd finally dared to glance downward.

Two weeks had passed, and she’d healed well, but the rest of Gryffindor hadn't let it go. In their eyes, he'd struck down their teammate.

His girlfriend, ever loyal, brushed it off each time, insisting it was just bad luck - a fluke. Still, her words didn’t soothe the guilt that gnawed at him, or the way he could still vividly picture the small, crumpled heap of red and gold, bleeding and whimpering while Blainey sorted broken bones and more split flesh than he could stomach.

He'd never once viewed her as vulnerable, but after holding her hand through the entirety of what was undeniably an excruciating recovery, Sebastian had not once left her to her own devices. Even after she'd been released from the Hospital Wing with not a single bruise, he'd aggressively insisted on carrying her books between classes, filling her plate at meals, reading to her in the Library...

She'd fussed and moaned about his coddling, of course, but Sebastian would have done just about anything to assuage the stomach churning guilt she vehemently assured him he ought not have.

It didn't help matters that tensions between both houses were now at an all-time high. Ceaseless bickering and accusations at any given moment of -

He brutalized our Seeker just to win the match!

And -

She fell on purpose because their team was going to lose.

Neither true and both absurd, but it only compounded the hell within his inner self.

More than a few times, he attempted to beg Imelda to let him quit the team entirely. He dodged practice and refused to fly or hit practice bludgers. Harming anyone was nauseating enough of a thought, but the fact he'd gravely injured his own girlfriend in a moment of carelessness...

Naturally, that hadn't ended well for him.

And now, in just a few hours, they'd be on the pitch again for the makeup match.

Gryffindor versus Slytherin.

Their prized Seeker back in action.

She'd made quite a show of strutting around, cocky as ever and trying to take the attention off Sebastian and his blunder. Had made a point of grabbing him in very public settings for a snog just to prove the point that she held no grudge nor lasting wounds - to both him and any bystanders.

And he'd treated her far more delicately than she liked in return.

Sebastian took a deep breath, watching the lake ripple beneath a passing breeze. He didn’t know if he was ready to face the pitch again, knowing what had happened, knowing everyone’s eyes would be on him. The tension felt like a weight pressing down on his chest, but there was no escaping it now.

The distant toll of the bell echoed across the grounds like a death knell, signaling the end of breakfast and the inevitable race of spectators to the pitch. Sebastian ran a hand through his messy hair, steeling himself.

He could just not show up.

Brown eyes flickered up the valley toward Hogsmeade, where he could make a beeline and hide away with Sirona until the match was ended. He could handle being berated for cowardice and abandoning his team.

There was a substitute Beater, anyway…

All plans of riding out the game in some comfortable back booth with a mug of butterbeer in-hand evaporated the moment he heard her familiar voice, however, cutting bright and teasing through his self-inflicted gloom.

From the moment she sang out his name, Sebastian knew there would be no hiding away from the pitch or the divisive rivalry of their respective teams until the dust settled and accusatory glares faded. She would never permit him that comfortable cowardice. And he did love her all the more for it, despite the groan clawing its way from his throat at her approach.

"Trying to get out of our big rematch, Sallow?" She called, tone laced with mock disappointment. “If you think I'm going easy on you just because you can’t face me on the pitch, you’re mistaken. You owe me a proper game. No hiding from it."

Sebastian turned, finding her striding toward him with that easy confidence she wore so naturally. Her red-and-gold Quidditch robes practically glowed against the lake’s mist, and her grin, mischievous and unbothered, was aimed straight at him.

She looked precisely the way she always did before a match - fierce and ready, without a trace of the doubt or fear he presently cloaked himself in.

"Who said anything about hiding?" He replied, trying to match her tone with any semblence of his normal swagger. "Maybe I just wanted a quiet moment by the lake before I go out there and have to hear all Reyes's shrieking."

“Uh-huh.” She cocked an eyebrow, coming closer with a knowing gaze. “More like you’re here to avoid getting tackled by half of Gryffindor. Don’t think I haven’t noticed the way they glare at you every time you pass by - or how you've been slinking off from them with your tail between your legs.”

Spot on, of course, and he couldn't argue the matter.

Sebastian chuckled, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly. “Can you blame them?”

“Oh, I blame them plenty,” She replied, dismissing the question with a wave of her hand. “Honestly, Sebastian, if anyone thinks one wayward bludger is going to scare me off, I'm quite frankly offended. I’ve had falls worse than that on practice days. And it’s not like you sent me crashing on purpose. Brush it off and quit with the theatrics, all of you."

For a moment, she softened, looking at him with that unshakable warmth he was so used to. But she didn’t linger there in sentimentality.

Before Sebastian could get another word in, she whipped a crimson and gold hair ribbon from her pocket, stepping forward to wind it securely around the handle of his broomstick.

“Just a little Gryffindor courage for you. Don’t go losing it in the first few minutes, Sebastian.” She said, giving him a playful nudge after fastening the knot.

He opened his mouth to protest, but the words caught in his throat when he saw her turn, just enough for him to notice her hair swept back in a loose ponytail - and secured by a silver and emerald ribbon. His own colors, standing out proudly against her scarlet robes.

“You’re kidding,” He managed, eyes widening as he took in the sight.

She winked and grinned up at him.

“What can I say? I thought you might need a reminder that I’m on your side, even if my team is out for your head.” She paused, giving him a playful look. “Besides, when we beat you, I want it to be fair. Your alternate is a poor substitute for that nasty Beater's arm you've been honing.”

Sebastian could only laugh, warmth filling his chest for the first time in weeks, the weight of guilt easing away slightly in her bright, unwavering presence. “So, no mercy, then?”

“Not an ounce.” She declared, holding her own broom at her side and flashing a wide grin. “But that doesn’t mean you’re allowed to run off, either. I’m going to need you out there to deflect all the Bludgers the rest of my team will undoubtedly be hurtling toward your poor head - the distraction will give me a solid opening to find my Snitch"

Sebastian grinned back at her, nodding and raising his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. I’ll do my duty and give you an honorable loss if you're so eager to be swept."

“Good. We’ve got a rematch to win - and I want no excuses when I leave you lot in the dust.”

With her by his side, Sebastian’s dread was gone, replaced with a rekindled sense of competition. Leave it to her to nag and needle until his guilt gave way to a desire to toss her right into the damn lake.

She rested a hand on his arm, eyes a bit fonder. “So, are you ready to come up and face the game with me, or am I going to have to drag you all the way to the pitch?”

“Careful.” He said, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth, “I just might let you try. Could be a good workout for you - better for your broom-grip and all."

She scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Please. We both know I wouldn't need to lift a finger if I so much as breathed a word of your fantasized insubordination to Imelda.” Her hand slid down his arm to entwine her fingers with his. “But I’m feeling generous. How about a wager - if Gryffindor wins, you have to clean every one of our brooms, no magic allowed.”

He raised an eyebrow, eyes narrowing, “And if Slytherin wins?”

She bit her lip, thinking it over.

“If you lot pull off a miracle, I’ll personally see to it that I bring you every meal in the Great Hall for a week. All three courses.”

“Dinner delivery?” Sebastian laughed, running his thumb over her knuckles. “Tempting. But I was thinking of something a little more… motivating.”

“Oh?” She asked, tilting her head, her grin widening. “Do tell.”

He leaned in, voice dropping to a low murmur. “If Slytherin wins, you owe me a private tour of that secret room of yours on the seventh floor you're always hinting at. Midnight tonight."

A tour wasn't so much what he was after, and they both knew it, though Sebastian couldn't very well deny he'd always been intrigued when his secretive girl alluded to the hidden corner of the castle she stole away to so often.

Her face flushed, fingers reflexively squeezing his, but she didn’t look away.

"You're trying to make me throw the match, aren't you?" She asked, playfully accusatory.

Sebastian snorted, not bothering to grace that with a reply - true as it was. He was pleased the thought of a little after-hours tryst was so tempting to her, really.

“Fine.” She said softly, stepping closer. “But just know, if we win, you’re still not getting out of cleaning our brooms.”

He laughed, the last of his unease finally melting away.

“Guess I’ll just have to make sure we win, then.” He retorted, but soon found that same creeping guilt come clawing back up.

Reckless ambition to win had harmed his precious girl in the first place.

Broom polish might very well be in his future, he reasoned, as throwing the match was far more tempting than risking her again. Part of Sebastian idly wondered if he might simply play Beater for the opposing team - swiping Bludgers far and away from her explicitly as his role.

She squeezed his hand again, expression softening affectionately as if she could read his thoughts. “Sebastian, just remember - win or lose, it’s only a game. We’re fine. I’m fine. There’s truly nothing you need to make up for or fret over."

For a moment, he simply looked at her, tension easing at her words. All the doubts, the self-blame, the guilt he’d carried for weeks… they faded under her firm assurance, although he knew the moment he was gone from her they'd likely resurface.

Before Sebastian could overthink it, he leaned down, pressing a kiss to her lips. Not their first kiss, by any stretch, but he needed to taste her even for a moment to help drown out the rest of his worries - she was here with him, well and alive and steadfast by his side where she belonged.

She responded without a moment's hesitation, hands reaching up to clasp the front of his robes, tugging him down closer to her.

Only for a moment, though.

The echoing of Natty's voice from the Quidditch Pitch, her pre-game announcements ringing out over the once-still morning, removed them from what could very easily become a rather heated embrace - and a part of Sebastian was thankful for the interruption, as more than once she'd left him dizzyingly distracted and battling a rather uncomfortable bulge on his broomstick from her good luck kisses.

She nipped his bottom lip before soothing it with a brief lathe of her tongue, and Sebastian could only groan when she pulled off him and straightened his robes.

She offered a final, playful nudge. “Now, come on. We’ve got a match to get to. This'll come later - for now, the only thing I'm riding is my broom."

Another groaned bubbled up from his throat at the tantalizing thought of that.

“Trust me...” Sebastian said as he grabbed his broom, her ribbon fluttering from the handle. “I’ve got all the motivation I need to win this match and cash in on my spoils very quickly."

Win or lose the match, he knew damn well he was the luckiest bastard in the castle just for the chance to hold her hand on the way there.

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thekinkpopstandsforkrackheads · 3 days ago

Text

I'm just writing random smut this month I guess?

Anyway, here's the completed fic from the preview I posted the other day.

Tagging @sallowsswan by request 💖

Summary: Sebastian endures an uncomfortable facet of living with a girl - getting caught with his pants down.

Word count: ~5700

Warning: MDNI, 18+ ONLY, EXPLICIT SEXUAL CONTENT

Headache

A headache - that was Sebastian's story, and he was sticking to it.

While he was eternally grateful his ever-present friend elected to reside with him in Feldcroft since fifth year passed to help combat his loneliness, Sebastian was, at times, less than appreciative of her steadfast loyalty.

Times like earlier that morning while they'd been fishing in the nearby stream to catch something for lunch, and the water splashed up onto her modest white blouse, revealing a fair bit more than she typically chose to show. When his slacks grew too tight for comfort, he'd made the feeble excuse of heading back home to sleep off a sudden headache.

A head was certainly aching, but she didn't need to be privy to which one he was referring to.

As such, he'd left her on the riverbank in a hurry, chucked his muddy boots outside the front door, and draped one filthy sock over the door handle - just in case.

With a relieved sigh, Sebastian finally eased the strain on his groin by unfastening his pants, dropping a trail of clothing all the way to his bed where he sank down into it, hand already wrapped securely around the base of his shaft before the back of his head even hit the pillow.

A few firm pumps, and he'd successfully taken himself from pitifully half-mast to throbbing while he pictured the scene responsible for his erotic shame.

Disregarding the fact that she was his friend, Sebastian let his imagination wander to filthy fantasy - she didn't need to know where his private thoughts strayed, and he sure as hell wasn't going to volunteer that information to his prim housemate even under threat of crucio.

Steering away from the incredibly un-sensual knowledge that he was rubbing one out to the very same witch he'd have to look in the eye later, Sebastian did what any young man in his position would do - he let the blood flow promptly out of his brain to his nethers, forsaking thought and morality in favor of more pleasurable exploits.

Messily braided hair, already frizzy and disasterous from the summer humidity. Her bright, almond eyes staring straight at him, and those teasing lips, plush and curved upward with a laugh while she splashed water at him.

She was just so pretty.

"Fuck..." He groaned out, hips rutting upward to meet his hand, a thumb swiping over the tip of his erection to smear the leaking precum down the rest of him for better lubrication.

And Merlin, it continued beading up from him, providing him better ability to glide his palm over himself, squeezing more insistently each time his steadily paced hand neared the tip, glossing over the top to coat himself further as he brought his hand back down.

So wet, just like her neck and chest when she'd splashed around so carefree with him moments earlier. She'd worn nothing but a simple skirt and plain white blouse for their excursion - and truly nothing else. He'd never been so grateful in his life - the fabric was thick but still not wholly opaque.

Sebastian inwardly rejoiced when the peaks of her nipples showed, only partially obscured, through the cotton, and the fabric clung to the soft outline of her breasts. The stream water and clear, sunny day offered him far more than just a hint of precisely what intriguing assets were hidden under her usual array of long sleeves and high collars.

And she'd been none the wiser of what was on display.

While he normally considered himself more suited to cooler seasons, Sebastian had to admit summer grew on him exponentially thanks to the bountiful gift nature provided him that morning - even moreso as the stifling heat of the cottage helped him better conjure an especially tantalizing daydream of how it might feel to press her slight frame into the mattress beneath him, slick with sweat from their combined efforts and the delicious heat of their bodies competing with the suffocating air.

To better put himself in that inspiring little scenario, Sebastian, with great effort, turned himself onto his stomach to mindlessly rut into the soft, damp sheets, his hand aiding the way to sweet euphoria.

Now this was bliss - the only thing that could have possibly improved the mouthwatering sensations he now felt was if he'd have used his final remaining half a brain cell before he started frantically groping himself to snatch her pillow so he could breathe in her scent while he fucked himself senseless.

Imagining the silky bedding where his cock left a sinful trail of viscous pleasure was instead her plump thighs only made matters better, and before he knew it, Sebastian was biting the corner of the pillow, whimpering her name and doubling his efforts to reach a state of oblivion.

Gods, he'd make any promise to any deity who'd listen if he could simply have her in this bed, fuck her into the creaking mattress, bite her neck bruised and lovely, make her scream until everyone from here to Marunweem knew who she belonged to.

That had done it - the mere thought of his name on those cherry lips was his undoing, and as his stomach tightened, just as swiftly did it unravel, the mess of his release coming out in spurts, soiling the covers and smearing sloppily over his hand, still furiously jerking himself through the orgasm.

The grunts and whines, crawling pathetically from his throat while he rode out the tail end of his perfect little vision of planting that same sticky seed deep in her womb instead of making yet another load of laundry for himself, were impossible to stifle.

But all at once, the blissful state he'd entered shattered and dropped out from under him as Sebastian realized, with sickening, blood-chilling dread that he was, in fact, not alone. His name on her lips had not been a lovely hallucination brought on by his self-induced fucking.

Reluctantly, he turned his head on the drool-spot of his pillow to see the very worst sight imaginable in all his years -

There in the entry, dirty sock in-hand and a small bottle in the other, door still wide open, stood the star of his dirty daydreams.

Her shocked expression was a far cry from the look of unbridled passion he'd just been conjuring, however. Lips parted in silent surprise, eyes wide, and pale face rapidly darkening, she remained rooted to the spot.

Neither one of them made a peep for what very well could have been an eternity, instead choosing to fix each other with twinned horrified silence.

She was first to break it.

"T-the neighbor had a h-headache tonic -" She choked out, pitifully jostling the small, yellow vial in the hand that did not hold his -

"S-sock! Did you not see the damn sock?!" He asked, weakly indignant and wanting and failing to muster any sort of true anger in the face of what he'd been caught up in.

Sebastian attempted to adjust himself on the bed to provide better coverage and hopefully leave something to the imagination - not that she'd ever imagine such a thing - he visibly grimaced when the come-coated sheet actually clung to his abdomen.

And for all the galleons in the world, he wanted nothing more than for the ancient floorboards to swallow him whole when she gagged at the sight.

At least she finally found the good sense to avert her gaze, glaring petulantly at the far wall and yelling indirectly at him.

"What the bloody hell do you mean the sock? What's your dirty laundry have to do with your... er, other dirty laundry?" She asked harshly, face burning as hot as his own.

He balked at her, aghast, finally tugging the ruined sheet over him like he was the one to have just been scandalized, which he had!

"The universal symbol for do not disturb as the occupant is likely...?" He made a crude jerking gesture with his hand in his lap.

She'd chosen that unfortunate moment to let her eyes flicker back over to him, only to shriek and turn to fully face the opposite wall, covering her ears with her hands.

"Shut up, shut up, shut up!"

There'd been no salvaging the situation after that catastrophic mime show, and thus the pair remained on opposite sides of Feldcroft for the remainder of the day - Sebastian took to fishing on the bank behind the cottage with the dim hope that a nice catch might mend things by way of satisfying her stomach.

Unfortunately, he'd fumbled his first several bites, zoning out as his thoughts drifted back to the look on her face. They'd witnessed all manner of things over the years, but he'd never seen her look quite like that.

The rest of his now-miserable afternoon was spent sitting on the grassy knoll alternating between groaning so loudly it startled the fish, and swearing at said fish when they'd pilfer his bait rather than offering themselves as a meal.

With the sun high enough in the sky that he could no longer delay his inevitable return home, Sebastian reluctantly stood and brushed off his hands on his pants and hoisted his pitiful stringer of a whopping two small trout before trudging back to the cottage.

Fortunately, they still had more than enough food to tide them over until dinner, but it was the principle of the matter - he couldn't stand the humiliation of being seen as pathetic twice in one day.

His feet felt like they were wading through ankle-deep mud the whole brief walk to his inevitable death by shame.

Once more, Sebastian cringed and nearly threw up right there in the front yard when he saw both their bedding freshly washed and hung on the line to dry.

Why hadn't he thought to clean that before he sulked off? She'd touched it! Either she would hex him into oblivion, or he would simply need to chuck himself off the side of a cliff at this point because there was no coming back from such ungodly mortification.

Dwelling on how her face must have scrunched in revulsion while she peeled away his soiled sheets to clean, he mirrored the action by dropping off his boots on the porch and shedding his socks.

For the longest time, Sebastian let his hand uselessly rest on the doorknob, knowing he'd have to face the proverbial music on the other side at some point, though he briefly considered just hurling the fish inside and bolting for the next continent.

With a sigh, he shut his eyes and forced his body to move, entering as his feet padded onto the wooden interior, a death knell to his ears.

"Polishing your broom handle, milking your flobberworm, burping the basilisk..." Her voice rang out painfully clear.

Sebastian winced at the crude terminology she rattled off, looking up at her in speechless horror while she carried on with an unexpected air of humor. This was not the cold shoulder or screaming match he'd anticipated.

She continued ticking off her fingers while carrying on with her recitation of euphemisms. "Charming the one-eyed ashwinder, choking the diricawl -"

Such vulgarity spilled from her normally overly-polite lips.

"Stop! What the hell are you doing?!" He cried out, scandalized.

She simply chuckled and shrugged, unfolding a piece of parchment from her pocket and waving it at him - Sebastian took a few rapid steps forward and snatched it from her to see dozens of lewd phrases.

"There's so many, though. It's incredible how many are related to Quidditch, though I'm not surprised." Her smirk growing as his cheeks blazed. "Fumbling your quaffles is most apt for what I caught you doing, though. It was quite the fumble - oh, are those your catch for the day?"

Her eyes trailed to the two fish limply dangling from his belt, and he was painfully reminded of what else she'd seen dangling by his legs earlier.

"Y-you can't just spout all that filth and then casually discuss lunch!" He choked out, clutching the now crumpled list in his sweaty palm.

A small part of him, however, struggled valiantly to contain a laugh - hearing such atrocious phrases spill from those innocent lips was ludicrous.

"Well, it is lunchtime, Sebastian. But if you'd rather discuss the fact that you were too busy sodomizing your poor mattress to help catch us a proper meal, I'm all ears." She replied, voice chiding but with an unmistakable mirth to it. "But don't worry, I had a more productive morning - fetching your unnecessary medicine, catching and cleaning an actual haul of fish, preparing this rather charming list with which to mock you..."

"You... you're actually enjoying this, aren't you?" He asked slowly, taking a step back.

"Enjoying scrubbing your crusty old bedding so that the cottage doesn't reek of your sordid secretions in this summer heat? Bold claim, Sallow. Let's try again." She replied, cocking her head to the side.

There were a million and one thoughts swarming his mind for how best to proceed - apologizing was the obvious next step, followed by groveling, and likely finished with an offer to sleep outside in the sheep pen.

None of those were what tumbled out of him, though.

"You know all those nasty phrases, but you don't know about the sock?!" He sputtered.

She snorted.

"Well, I'm not exactly aware of boy dorm etiquette - the fairer sex tends to be more reserved with such hobbies rather than boldly declaring to the world we've got a hand stuffed up our skirts." She explained with a nonchalance not-at-all befitting the situation. "I am, however, familiar with chit-chat outside the Quidditch locker rooms. Garreth uses the most colorful phrases - I tried to recall the best ones for you."

The thought of her, exiting the locker rooms chatting with her teammates only to overhear Weasley and whoever else prattle on about their genitals sent him into a spiral - she was delicate and polite and innocent. Subjecting her to the kind of filth he and the others discussed was akin to defiling something sacred. She was a hero and a pure girl. Wasn't she?

"Why exactly are you repeating the vile things you've heard from your teammates?" He asked, dumbfounded.

Surely, he was missing a motive here.

"Well, because it's funny." She replied simply.

Sebastian blinked a few times.

He croaked out, "Funny?"

Again, she chortled softly, a far too demure sound for the lewd things she'd been spewing a moment ago.

"Well, sure. Once I overcame the indignity of catching you with your pants down, I took some time to consider our predicament."

Again, Sebastian choked. The thought of her reflecting on his private moment was possibly worse than the initial revelation.

She continued speaking, to his horror.

"And I realized I have no business scolding you for enjoying the same damn thing the rest of us do. I... may have overreacted a tad." She grew a bit sheepish and rubbed the back of her head. "Sometimes I forget you're a boy, and it doesn't cross my mind that you do these sorts of things just like the others."

That stopped him in his tracks.

Sebastian finally groaned out a sigh and took a seat opposite her at the table, crumbling the list and pelting her in the forehead with it as he spoke. "You forget I'm a boy? What the hell's that supposed to mean?"

A large part of him bristled that this lovely girl who he thought of quite frequently did not view him as anything more than a piece of furniture in her life.

"I didn't mean to offend you - I only meant that you're... well, Sebastian Sallow. My friend, my walking encyclopedia, my companion. You're basically just an extension of myself at this point." She explained, growing more embarrassed as she fumbled her words. "Today, while shocking, was a much-needed reminder that you are, in fact, a man my age, and that needs to be... considered."

Defensiveness melted away slowly. She was handling this disaster with far more grace and humor than he'd expected.

"You're right. It should be taken into consideration." He agreed hesitantly, still waiting for the other shoe to drop.

There was simply no way she wasn't going to chop his manhood off while he slept to avoid another incident.

So, he said as much. "You know, you're handling this remarkably well... you even cleaned the sheets? That was generous."

"Well, I'm partially responsible for the mess, so I may as well help clean up." She shrugged simply.

"P-pardon?" He croaked out, once again thrown for a loop.

Finally, that smug grin slid off her face, and in its place, a more appropriate blush and matching bashful smile appeared.

"Well, you were, um, saying my name while you were..."

She mirrored the hand gesture he'd shown her before, and Sebastian wanted to laugh, scream, and burst into hellfire all at once.

Fuck's sake - she'd heard.

"Thus, I am responsible for some of the mess." She finished, ignoring his horror. She glanced up sharply, though, and his slack jaw snapped back into place. "Some of the mess, let me emphasize. I expect you to be a bit more honest about disappearing for your... urges in the future. No more headaches. And I'll mind the sock."

"Oh, you'll mind the sock? How fortunate for me." He said weakly, all will to live having left his body entirely.

She'd caught him red-handed, masturbating to a fantasy of her and whimpering out her name. And now she was just casually discussing it at the kitchen table.

"I guess I'm not the only one who got complacent with our living arrangement. I need to keep in mind that I have a lady here as well. That wasn't right of me to lie." He said dumbly, but something she'd mentioned earlier came back to him, and as always, curiousity won out over common sense, and he simply blurted it out. "Hang on, you said you won't scold me for something everyone does. You're included in that statement?"

After all, he'd already dug his gave, why not keep going?

Now it was her turn to turn beet red and narrow her eyes. "Why? Are you going to fantasize about that during your next headache?"

Fuck it.

"Yeah, maybe I will." He retorted defensively, and she looked like she'd been struck.

She floundered a moment, grasping for words and finding absolutely none.

"Well, at least pick a more suitable time than the middle of the day to do it!" She snapped back. "I'm at least courteous enough to wait until my bath -"

"Your bath? Is that why it takes you an entire bloody hour to take your turn in there each night?" Sebastian barked out a laugh, disbelieving, but growing more amused by the second as she did not refute his statement.

He was also growing a bit warmer as his thoughts strayed from his own humiliation to the image of her in the tub, head thrown back against the edge she she worked herself into a frenzy while he read just on the other side of the wall -

"I can practically see you thinking up something filthy!" She scolded him, throwing the crumpled list back for good measure.

"Hardly." Sebastian grinned, leaning forward on the table. "If it's in the bath, it's clean."

Was he still mortified? Absolutely. In fact, he still considered throwing himself into the deepest part of the river later on. The fact that she was equally guilty of enjoying her fair share of carnal pleasure in their communal space was far more entertaining to dwell on, though.

"Maybe I'll ask to join you in the tub?" He offered helpfully.

She shut it down in an instant. "Oh, Sebastian, I didn't realize you favored death by drowning."

"Oh, come on, it's not like I'm suggesting something outlandish here." He decided to press the issue, coax her out of her shell a bit and maybe find out what made her tick - clearly it was something from the day if she was needing to pleasure herself nightly.

Wishful thinking that he was the common denominator? Perhaps. But he'd staked it all on slimmer odds, and her blush right now was particularly telling.

"You think of me while you're in there, don't you?"

She nearly fell out of her chair for how quickly she scooted back, the legs scraping the floor before toppling to the ground as she stood, startled, and flushed.

"N-no, of course not." She stuttered out, looking anywhere but him.

So uncharacteristically shy.

It was adorable.

Sebastian stood as well, more smoothly, and took a step toward her. "Admit it - you've just found out my dirty little secret. There's nothing you need to hide now. You can't tell me there's not a part of you that doesn't wish I'd have been the one to stumble in on you some evening while you were in there."

They'd endured their fair share of awkward flirtation over the course of their friendship and consequent living arrangement - things innocent enough of their own, but when compiled, added up to make this gamble worth it.

Hopefully.

A few evenings falling asleep on each other while reading, a shared, chaste kiss under the mistletoe in the castle over winter, those increasingly frequent, comfortable touches, and affectionate words.

He didn't take another step, not wanting her to combust entirely, but didn't back off either even after she'd backed herself into the wall.

"It... might have crossed my mind once or twice." She begrudgingly admitted.

"Only once or twice?" He pressed with an increasingly smug grin.

"...each night." She grumbled, still refusing to look at him.

There it was.

"Ah, you little deviant." Sebastian smiled wolfishly before crossing the room until he was close enough to feel the body heat he'd wanted under him earlier, before this surprisingly-fortuitous debacle. He grabbed her chin and tilted her head up to look at him.

Cheeks as flaming red as her house colors, she forced herself to hold his stare, challenging him to say or do something else, and he was reminded all at once of just who he was playing with.

The witch was a walking contradiction.

Prim and delicate, yet still capable of incredible feats in combat and bravery. Polite and shy, but fiercely holding his gaze even amidst such a heinous discussion. Woefully inexperienced, yet able to admit she touches herself to thoughts of him each night.

While he was still unsure how to navigate this entire unholy situation, he knew no better approach to life than simply barreling ahead.

So, he leaned down and kissed her.

Far different from their obligatory Christmas kiss under that heaven-sent sprig at Hogwarts, this one he delivered with intent.

Hand still commanding her attention under her chin, he held her still and pressed his lips firmly against hers, earning a startled squeak and a moment of pause as he briefly wondered whether or not this would earn him an, admittedly deserved, slap to the face.

But then her own hands trailed up to pull him closer, one resting on the wrist he was using to steer her further back against the wall, and the other snaking up his shoulder and behind his head, tugging him tighter.

As if her reciprocation wasn't enough, she opted to be the one to deepen things when her tongue slid across the crease of his lips, pushing past insistently and lathing across his own.

He moaned shamelessly at her taste.

His hand dropped from her chin, caressing her slender throat all the way to her collarbone where his fingers delved down under the top of her blouse - that damn white blouse still - and he let his fingers ghost across the rise of her breasts, testing the waters.

When she let out an airy little gasp into his mouth, leaning up and pressing into his touch, all bets were off.

Without another moment of hesitation, Sebastian's other hand flew to tangle in her hair, tilting her head roughly to better access every possible inch of her mouth, the kiss certainly bruising those pretty lips, before he moved on to trail a series of searing kisses down her throat.

His other hand continued its increasingly bold exploration of her chest, haphazardly tugging at the fabric and not caring whether the buttons came undone by force or by luck. As alluring as the top was, it would look far better on the floor.

The gasps and little mewls he drew from her while working countless bites and bruises into her neck only spurred Sebastian on, memorizing each and every sound his efforts earned like her body was the most fascinating book he'd ever laid eyes on.

Moving by instinct alone in a frantic bid to ensure she never spent another night alone in that bath, he pressed his body firmly against hers, his knee sliding between her legs, their height difference providing the most delectable angle for him to find precisely where he wanted to be.

She moaned his name the moment he made contact with her core, and his thoughts went blank when she shamelessly ground against his leg. He could feel how wet she already was through the thin fabric separating them, providing both a frustrating barrier as well as tantalizing friction. Merlin help him, if she actually got off just from riding his leg, he'd never recover.

But she was just so hot when she moaned like that, dripping over him before they'd even done anything.

"So responsive." He purred, bringing his knee up further to give her better purchase. "I'm barely touching you. Are you going to come already? Just from this?"

She wanted to yell at him for the sheer impudence of the comment, he could practically feel it, but arousal won out over pride and she simply whined out a pathetic response, wrapping both her arms around his shoulders to keep her balance while she rutted against him like a goddamn cat in heat.

"Y-yes." She barely managed, gasping when he reached a hand down and pushed her further by the hip.

"Then come."

A simple command, encouraging.

And she obeyed.

"S-shit!" She cried out, and he guided her hip with his hand rested against it, keeping her pace as her mind emptied, holding her up and in place while he aided her to help her ride it out.

A small part of Sebastian wanted to tease that shit didn't sound very much like his name, and she ought to be calling out for the one who gave her pleasure, but he refrained.

Her teeth sank into his neck, stifling her continued chorus of audible lust. Not that he minded, of course, considering the sting of delicious pain she left at the nape of his neck was as much a gift as her sounds.

He held her there against the wall, kissing her neck and head and muttering praise for being so good while she regained her breath. Slowly, he removed his knee and braced her hip as she wavered slightly, still clinging to him to keep upright.

Flushed, skirt hiked up revealing glistening thighs, blouse wrinkled and partly torn halfway to her stomach, and a lovely reminder of what he'd just helped her accomplish right there on his pantleg, the vision truly was a work of art.

And proving, once again, that she loved nothing more than to contradict everything he thought he knew about her, his sensual witch reminded him that she also could be incredibly prickly.

Her pleased features turned to a slight scowl as she glanced down between them, and at first Sebastian expected her to complain about his rather obvious erection, to which he would have pointed out that even a eunuch wouldn't be immune to watching her get off like that.

But then she spoke.

"You've still got a pair of dead fish dangling from your trousers, you know."

Fish now long-since discarded along with his pants and the rest of their intrusive clothing, Sebastian idly wondered if he ought to remove anything else distracting from the cottage so that she kept focus in the days to come during the remainder of their summer together.

"Come for me again, love." He coaxed breathlessly, wanting nothing more than to feel those tight walls clenching around him once more.

He'd fucked her against the wall already, thoroughly screwing any thoughts of fish and lunch right out of her. Then, of course, the kitchen table, where he'd pressed her sweat-slick shoulderblades with a broad hand, pushing her further against the wood while he enjoyed a perfect view of her raised ass.

Now, cock sliding between those slick folds at a lazy, deep pace, he wasn't through with her yet. Not when she was so fucking incredible.

Her undoing had been when she got sidetracked once more and mentioned those fucking fish.

"If you're so keen to talk about the local river dwellers with my cock inside you, shall I take you to them?"

Which was why he was now presently railing her on the bank of the stream with one hand on her throat to keep her blissfully lightheaded enough to no longer even think of trout, and the other roughly pulling her hips down to meet his own, spearing her deeply onto him with each thrust.

She'd shrieked indignantly when he slung her over his shoulder and proudly carried her, bare ass still bright with the distinct print of his hand, out in broad daylight and all but tossed her into the water behind the cottage.

This was so much better than his spittle-covered hand and recalling a few peeks of cleavage in a river. Now, she was on full display for him, soaked in every way, practically screaming his name while her greedy cunt tightened around him once more.

"You're so fucking easy -" He grunted out, fucking her through her orgasm, eagerly chasing his own. "I'm hardly trying. You think I'm ever letting you have another moment's peace in this house when you fall apart on my cock like this? Fuck!"

"Sebastian, fuck, please! I can't!"

He eased his grip on her throat, and she gasped in air through the nonsense whimpered words, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes from the sheer pleasure. Never in his wildest dreams would Sebastian have guessed his spitfire companion would get off by being manhandled in such a way, but every time he'd back off, she demanded he go harder.

So, he did.

And Merlin that was just what he needed - pulling her hair to feel her clench around him even tighter with the slight pain, slapping her ass when he took her from behind, and the throat - fuck, when she'd placed his hand there and eased his fingers to squeeze just right, pretty lips opening slightly in sheer bliss, he nearly came then and there.

And that was precisely what he intended to do now that she'd had her fill.

Digging his toes into the sandy beach, water sloshing slightly as he adjusted, he looped his arms under her knees and lifted, hitting so deep inside her he was certain they were both seeing stars, if her reckless screams of yes were anything to go by. His own movements became less about precision and more about burying himself into her as deeply as he could get.

Sebastian pumped into her brutally, searing the image of her beneath him, arms raised above her head and grasping desperately to the tall grass, her hair splayed out around her...

And then she met his eyes and cried out his name, and there was no holding back as he spilled inside of her with a hoarse whine, fingers digging into her calves. Her body tightened gloriously around his length, helping him milk everything he had to give and accepting it in turn.

A few more stuttering ruts of his hips and Sebastian began to finally regain lucidity, slowly pulling out of her with a matching groan. His member throbbed pleasantly, sensitive and still-twitching, as he gingerly set her legs down and curled up next to her on the sun-heated bank.

Gently, he coaxed her spent form over to lay across his heaving chest, smoothing out her hair and pressing affectionate kisses to her temple and cheeks - a far cry from the harsh bites and filthy praise he'd delivered all afternoon.

They remained there together until long after their heart rates settled and their bodies dried, simply lounging in the slowly setting sun.

This was peace.

The rigors of their spontaneous afternoon little more than an ache in their bodies now, they spent their time idly chatting, peppering a few sweet kisses to ease their bruises here and there.

The air grew chill - comfortable for Sebastian, but his sensitive companion shivered and burrowed herself tighter into him.

He chuckled and wrapped his arms tightly around her before hoisting her up to her feet, both groaning slightly from their sore bodies.

"That'll be my cue to get you indoors and into your warm bath. We'll wash up, and I'll turn that fish into a stew for you." He said, cheerful despite the fatigue weighing down his every move.

By a bath, he meant it in the most basic terms - there was no way he could take her again so soon, not when her step was so unsteady on the short, slow walk home.

She leaned against him and sighed contentedly, clinging to his arm for both balance and warmth.

"Thank you. I am feeling a bit peckish, now that my innards are no longer being fucked into my ribcage."

Sebastian barked out a laugh and shook his head. The improper statements she'd uttered since this all began would be enough to make the quidditch teammates responsible for her stupid list earlier blush.

He pulled her closer to kiss the top of her head once more as they neared the cottage, swiping the bedding off the line on their way in.

"And don't worry about laundry - I'll tackle the bedding tomorrow." He assured her, giving her ass a fond pat as he playfully pushed her toward the bathroom.

She turned to look over her should at him with a confused smile and asked, "Sebastian, but I've already done the laundry just earlier today?"

Maybe she was still a bit innocent - no matter, he'd drill the point into her.

Literally.

Sebastian simply fixed her with a grin he hoped was more charming than half-asleep.

"Well, it's certainly not going to stay clean, is it?"

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thekinkpopstandsforkrackheads · 3 days ago

Note

Hey, I've had this idea for a while and I hope you like it! 🤍🐍

Sebastian is on the quidditch team and MC is his personal cheerleader. (She's not in Slytherin but you can choose any of the other houses though. and that comes from a slytherin herself. hehe.)

She dresses accordingly in his colors. She might even wear one of his jerseys and have green bows in her hair. (Of course this makes him want to win even more, so as a reward he can claim and unwrap this nice package that literally has his name written on it. Hehe. Imelda didn't need to know, but of course she did anyway.)

Being muggleborn she had never heard about quidditch before but by the time it was allowed again and Sebastian joined the team and she had found out a bit about it. If something is important to him, it is important to her too. She cheers him on. God, she's so proud of him, but you know, some of her household members get on the nerves of it. They take the game very seriously, far too seriously, and they don't care if she's Sallow's girlfriend or not, she shouldn't show up in the colors of the enemy!

MC just wants to enjoy the game her way and support her boyfriend. No more and no less. It's just a game and not the end of the world, you know.

The whole thing then leads to a violent argument during the game and in MC is pushed off the spectator tower. It happened so suddenly and so quickly that she didn't have the opportunity to react in any way. Who expects that their own house members will do something like that to you?

So she falls into the depths of the stadium and maybe Sebastian can just catch her or not. You decide that at this point. He gets bloody mad either way though and goes for whoever did this to her with his fist in the air like the muggleboys do. No one. Absolutely no one touches her!

And in the end he could take care of her and spoil her. 🤍🐍✨️

Hey, Anon!

Obsessed with this idea - literally just crazy for it. I'm so sorry this took so long, but I hope it was worth the wait! I love a good Sebastian ass-kicking while he defends his girl - and the fluff was such a treat.

Thanks for submitting this - hope you enjoy!

Wrong Team

Quidditch.

A common household word for every single witch and wizard in existence.

For Muggles? Not so much.

MC had the unfortunate luck to not only be Muggleborn but also to arrive at Hogwarts during a year when Quidditch had been effectively banned. To her, it wasn't much of a loss at the time - she'd had significantly more important considerations during their fifth year.

Imelda Reyes' daily lamentations over the loss of her sole reason for living proved to be the single point of experience the new fifth had with the popular sport, and as such she never bothered much with it.

Until, that is, the new term started, and Quidditch was permitted again - the student who'd been injured two years prior having finally graduated.

It wasn't only Imelda who acted like a person starved when the Pitch opened for tryouts - nearly three-quarters of the school tried out themselves, or at least showed up to observe. She, herself, had joined the spectacle.

Not as a hopeful player, though.

No - she was there to offer her unconditional and passionate support to Sebastian Sallow, who intended to become Seeker for Slytherin.

While she didn't know much about snitches or seekers, she did know that she loved Sebastian with all her heart, and if this was something that made him happy, she would be damned if she didn't support him to the very best of her ability.

After the tragedy that was their Fifth Year finally ended, she'd spent the summer with Sebastian in Feldcroft, picking up the pieces left behind by all the trauma surrounding the Sallow family.

Over the course of their time together, her supportive friendship and his subsequent dependence on her presence in his life evolved into more than just healing companionship - they'd wound up seriously courting halfway through the summer season.

Now, back at Hogwarts, she was equally determined to provide him with every ounce of affection she could shower on him. Sebastian, devoted boy that he was, deserved nothing more than to smile and enjoy life for once. If Quidditch made him forget the horrors of the past year and the troubles he still faced, then she would put her all into ensuring he enjoyed it.

It was only as she watched from the stands with the other screaming and cheering students that she realized just how much Quidditch meant to not only Sebastian but everyone else at the school as well. All decked out in their House colors - she felt out of place in her bland outfit, the Gryffindor emblem on her breast pocket feeling traitorous when she only cared to see how well a specific Slytherin boy did.

Her lack of festive wardrobe mattered very little, however, and she soon forgot about the worry entirely when Sebastian was promptly announced as the new Seeker for Slytherin.

The grin he immediately shot her, somehow finding her in the sea of spectating students, made her knees weak and brought a fond smile to her face.

She hadn't even realized how loudly she was shouting.

Her cheers of his name in the stadium were rivaled by similar screams later that night in the Undercroft while she rewarded him for his success.

The first game of the school's Quidditch season arrived swiftly, and Sebastian felt more alive than ever as he lined up with his teammates on the pitch, the crowd already buzzing with excitement.

His confidence came not only from the skill Slytherin's team exhibited during their rigid practice schedule leading up to this, but also from the impassioned encouragement being roared by one very peculiar fan.

Decked out in green and silver from head to toe amongst a sea of crimson and gold, his darling girlfriend was already bellowing at the top of her lungs for him.

Obnoxious? Certainly.

Still, he loved every bit of her absurd performance.

The fact that she so brazenly wore his colors in the Gryffindor stands made his heart swell with pride. Surely, they'd reproached her for that particular choice of wardrobe, yet she seemed undeterred by their glares and the fact that everyone kept a fair distance away from her seat.

No matter - it would be far easier for him to sneak a peek at her during the game with her eye-catching attire.

Once the whistle blew, Sebastian shot her a wink before kicking off, making sure his head was fully in the game. This was her first true experience with Quidditch, and he'd win for her.

Two hours into the game, however, and winning was becoming a bit of a pipe dream. They'd been tied with Gryffindor in a vicious bid not to be outdone. Sweating and windswept, Sebastian maintained his frantic search for the snitch from his perch above the field.

He'd caught sight of that telltale golden glimmer a few times and made a desperate dive for it, but with the brutal sunlight that morning, he hadn't been able to keep track of it very long. The Gryffindor Seeker wasn't in much better of a position, and they both cast cautious glances at each other for any hint that the opposing player might have whiffed it out again.

Sebastian's nerves were frayed with each impatient shout and glare from Imelda commanding him to hurry the fuck up already. He couldn't even bear to look down at the stands for fear that his doting, adoring girl would look bored with his performance.

Instead, he redoubled his efforts and scoured the arena again, weaving through the other players and budgets as his eyes darted around the pitch.

Just as Gryffindor scored again, he saw it.

The snitch.

Flitting about in a mocking manner just above one of the goalposts, he rushed for it in a dive.

The Gryffindor Seeker spotted it moments after, but the few seconds the girl had spent cheering for her team cost her quite dearly as Sebastian was already far ahead in pursuit of the win.

With his hand outstretched, he caught hold of the fluttering thing and clasped tightly, holding it up high above his head as he lapped the pitch with a grin so wide his cheeks ached.

The ear-shattering cheers from his teammates and the crowd below - and subsequent jeers from Gryffindor's section - only served to fuel his elation.

What warmed his heart more than anything though, to the point it physically ached, was that one piercing voice, louder than all the rest, screaming his name and waving delightedly in those ridiculous green and silver ribbons and robes she'd borrowed from Nerida.

As quickly as the thrill of victory set in, however, a new and terrible noise sprang up.

A fight had broken out, and amongst the Gryffindor students no less. Shoving and shouting like he'd only ever seen the likes of during drunken brawls after professional games. Mocking calls of Mudblood made him wince instinctively when they reached his ears.

No sooner had Sebastian turned to see what the hell was going on when he watched, horrified, as his girlfriend was knocked over the railing and off the stands, and one of the girls nearby who'd seen it happen screamed.

A dull thud.

A hush fell over the crowd as soon as they realized, and Sebastian remained frozen on his broomstick, still hovering uselessly with the snitch clasped in a vice grip.

Part of his brain screamed at him to just move and get to her, and it took his body far too long to catch up with that thought process. Limbs numb and ears ringing, he finally spurred himself to action and descended, followed swiftly by his teammates.

The Professors had long since sprinted onto the field and had crowded around her, and Kogawa held Sebastian back when he tried to approach as well. He looked at her, desperate, and she simply shook her head with a grim expression and quietly told him to give space for them to work.

Straining his ears to listen for any hint of her condition, he could hear nothing in their whispers. The damn pitch was too windy and loud, and no one would shut the hell up around him. Why couldn't they all just be quiet? Why couldn't anyone just fucking say how she was.

Then, she was gone. They'd scooped her up and rushed toward the castle - he could only see her arm, bloody and dangling limply during their retreat.

Sebastian's eyes flickered over to the spot she'd just been laying moments ago.

A dark patch of wet crimson stained the grass. Far too much for a mere scrape.

His vision grew dark, and all he seemed to be able to focus on was that blood - her blood. He couldn't hear anything besides the ringing in his ears and the pounding of his heart as bile rose to his throat.

Glancing up at the stands, he saw her empty seat. Where she should still be sitting and smiling at him rather than some mangled heap being dragged back to the castle.

Then he looked back over at the blood.

"Sebastian Sallow!" A voice cut through his thoughts, and his head snapped up.

Professor Weasley, looking frazzled beyond measure, beckoned him to follow her toward the edge of the pitch. He did so without question, briskly meeting her as she led him back toward the school.

"She's been taken to the Infirmary. I know you two are close. You should come with me to see her. I'll wait with you in the hall while Nurse Blainey works her magic on the poor girl." The older woman tutted in a motherly way, and Sebastian nodded, swallowing dryly as he imagined what precisely the school nurse would need to patch up.

A full hour later, while Sebastian paced outside the double doors of the Hospital Wing and Professor Weasley offered uselessly soothing words of consolation, Blainey appeared before them and gave permission for Sebastian to visit quietly while she spoke with the girl's Head of House.

Sebastian wasted no time with frivolous questions, instead bounding across the room to the only occupied bed in the entire wing.

Since her fall, Sebastian's mind had conjured up all manner of horrific things he might see - a mangled corpse was the worst of them.

What he did not expect, however, was to see her sitting upright and cheerful as soon as she caught sight of him. The bandages covering her cheek and forehead and arms and the dried blood still caked on her matted hair and clothes did not deter a bit from how breathtaking it was to see her not only alive but also smiling.

He wanted nothing more than to tackle her onto the bed and kiss every inch of her, but he refrained for fear of harming her further. Instead, he sufficed by sinking to his knees and laying his head in her lap, trying not to sob in relief.

She was alive.

Tears did prick at the corners of his eyes when he heard her chuckle softly and felt her delicate, cool fingers rake through his hair, still slightly damp from the game. Normally, he'd feel self-conscious about presenting himself in front of her like this, but he didn't think he could pry himself away from her if he wanted to in that moment.

Eventually, words found their way to Sebastian's mouth, and he muttered against the fabric of her skirt, still bloodied from her fall.

"How are you feeling?" He asked quietly, glancing up at her pitifully.

He should have asked sooner.

With a patient smile, she answered, "Much improved. Magic really is amazing, isn't it? My bone was sticking out of my arm just a bit ago, and now look at it!"

Proudly, she showed him her arm, mud and dried flakes of crimson still smeared over it, but wholly intact.

Feeling a wave of nausea over the thought that his beautiful girlfriend had just endured her skeleton protruding from her body, Sebastian reached up with shaking hands and brought her forearm down to him where he pressed a reverent kiss to it.

"Where else were you injured?"

Blushing slightly at his sudden tenderness, she pointed to her head next, where the hair was still matted down. "Hit my head pretty badly. Blainey patched that up too quite nicely."

Woozy.

Sebastian felt like he might faint, seeing the browning blood that had trickled from where she pointed and soaked through the top of her blouse. It had been bad indeed. Cracked her skull, he imagined.

Still, he stood carefully and leaned over to kiss her head, too, before asking where else she'd needed healed.

He did the same for every single place she'd been injured, until at long last, after what felt like a hellish eternity of hearing about each pain she'd suffered, she finally had nothing left to share.

"You're sure there was nowhere else?" He asked carefully, eyes flitting across her body to see if she'd missed anything.

"I'm sure. Now, can you stop your worrying so I can tell you how incredible you were?" She asked, eyes flashing sympathetic to his concern and wanting to change the subject.

Even now, Sebastian's heart melted with the realization that this impossible, wonderful girl was only ever thinking about him. He'd need to do better for her.

"Told you I'd win for you." The win, however, was precisely what troubled Sebastian. "You need to tell me what happened, though. How did you fall?"

Inside, he knew. She'd worn his colors, doting thing that she was, and her unwavering support had caused the brawl when he caught the snitch. He never should have allowed her to enter the stands like that - should have looked after her better. But, he needed to hear it from her.

For once, her smile slipped, and his ceaselessly cheerful girlfriend actually scowled.

"Some seventh years boys tried to pull off my hair ribbons! Yelled at me for cheering about your win. I told them I didn't care about the teams, I was there to support you. They didn't appreciate that. Garreth and Leander tried to look after me, of course, but... well, they got to brawling, and all hell broke loose. I got pushed off the ledge in the chaos by one of those seventh years - though, I don't think he meant it to go quite that far." She explained, displeased.

Sebastian groaned. It really had been her outfit that proved to be the catalyst. His sweet, innocent girl. She'd only wanted to cheer him on, having no idea about the rabidity of the spectators at these things. It certainly wasn't the first time a fight broke out over a school match, but she was right in that it had gone too far.

Rage consumed him then at the thought of some older prick putting his hands on her, tugging at her hair and shoving her when all she'd wanted to do was be there for him. She'd been so happy that morning. Smiled so sweetly when she wished him luck outside the locker room.

She could have died.

Over a fucking game and some colors.

"He shoved you." Sebastian repeated quietly. The boy who'd put his hands on her should have been the one on the ground, broken and bleeding and rushed to the Infirmary near-dead.

Or just plain dead - dead would be fine, too, for what the bastard had done.

Unwilling to let her see that familiar, blinding darkness consume him again - the same anger and self-loathing roiling inside his gut that she'd worked all summer to rid him of - Sebastian plastered on a pitying smile and kissed the tip of her nose. "Did it hurt?"

Sighing, she nodded. "Yeah, quite a bit, actually. Never broke a bone like that before. I hope I didn't spoil your impressive victory with all that drama."

Still only worried about him - as always and at detriment to herself. Protecting her should have been his first priority, and yet she'd been injured again. He needed to keep calm, though. She was fragile at the moment.

"You could never spoil a thing, darling. I'm going to sit here with you until that damn nurse kicks me out." And he sat with her on that little cot for a while longer, reminding her how pretty she looked in green and how her cheering had been what spurred him to victory.

When at last Nurse Blainey came to shoo him out so that the poor girl could rest, he pecked her cheek. "Thank you again for cheering me on today. Perhaps you should wear something that stands out a bit less next game, though.

MC balked. "Are you joking? I'm going to cheer even more obnoxiously for your next game! You'll hear me above the whole crowd!"

He laughed, shaking his head and leaving, but not before he shot her a grin and a wink. "That's my girl. Make everyone's damn ears bleed. I want to hear you screaming my name no matter how high I fly."

The moment he stepped out of the doors, his smile for her immediately melted from his features in lieu of a wicked glower. Garreth and Leander would certainly sympathize with his innocent query about precisely which students were involved in this debacle.

One more student was ushered into the Hospital Wing later that evening, as MC watched curiously from her own bed. She'd been ordered to stay the night while the potions worked their magic, and was more than a little surprised to see a familiar face join her in the Infirmary.

The seventh year boy refused to even look at her, but she could see that he'd been beaten bloody. Perhaps the brawl in the stands was worse than she thought? Though, she could imagine neither Leander nor Garreth landing blows quite so severe.

Shrugging it off, and without a shred of pity, she laid back down and slept like a baby. While she may have prided herself on kindness, she certainly wasn't above feeling a tad vindicated that the boy had at least suffered a bit after what he'd done to her. The same boy who'd tried to rip off her ribbons and who'd called her a Mudblood. The boy who'd knocked her from the stands.

When she saw Sebastian the next morning, waiting for her outside the Hospital Wing after she was released, her suspicions rose that perhaps he was involved in Blainey's late-night work.

His handsome face, which had been pristine only last night, now sported a swollen lip and a cut above his cheek. Smiling affectionately at her like nothing was wrong had her giving him a rather curious look, though, as she brought a hand to his cheek.

"Oh? And just what have you been up to? I can't help but think my sweet boyfriend went a bit rogue last night." She said with a knowing look.

While she did find it amusing, she didn't want to encourage his violence, of course.

"Rogue? I simply reminded someone that if anything were to happen to the boy who knocked around the Hero of Hogwarts, no one would bat an eye." He smirked, a glint of something familiar and almost cruel in his expression as his gaze flickered from her to the doors of the Hospital Wing.

In truth, his reminder to the lad had been incredibly physical and more of a threat to pitch the little shit off the stands himself rather than a friendly reminder. That fall had nearly broken her neck - head split open and arm fractured... the boy who pushed her was fortunate that Sebastian had been able to restrain himself as much as he did.

When he looked at his lovely girlfriend again, however, he was sweet as honey, and if she didn't know him better, she'd believe she only imagined the flash of something more vengeful there.

Still, she'd have likely done the same if he were the one who'd nearly been killed, and so she shrugged it off and pecked his cheek.

"I don't know whether I ought to scold you or reward you. It'd be a real shame if you wound up suspended from playing because you got caught fighting." She mused, gently brushing a thumb along his bruised lip. "I think I'll reward you, though."

"I certainly wouldn't complain about unwrapping my favorite gift after yesterday's win. We can enjoy our own little celebration in the Undercroft. Perhaps I'll pilfer something from the kitchens and we can have a picnic before I have my dessert?" He said, poorly feigning innocence.

She swatted him playfully, blushing like mad while she looked around to ensure no one else overheard in the corridor before looking up at him and nodding eagerly as she wasted no time tugging him along by the hand.

Across the castle, Leander Prewett and Garreth Weasley sat together in Saturday morning detention with the other Gryffindors who'd fought at the match.

Neither one felt a shred of guilt for the blows they'd landed in defense of their friend, nor for the sorry state of the boy they'd put Sebastian onto the scent of.

Matching black eyes and scraped knuckles, they tried to maintain a facade of remorse while Professor Weasley chided them shrilly for behaving violently and disgracing Gryffindor - they should have fetched a member of faculty rather than brawling.

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thekinkpopstandsforkrackheads · 3 days ago

Text

Hello!

Thank you so much to @fitzs-trained-monkey for this adorable and lovely prompt. I hope I did your idea justice, and I had a wonderful time writing this story.

This is the full version of the Ominis fic where a well-meaning girl can't remember the word that she'd like to use to compliment him, and she winds up hurting his feelings instead.

Little bit of angsty fluff ensues.

Love these goobers.

Word Salad

Ominis Gaunt was, by every sense of the word, breathtaking.

The new fifth year knew as much from the moment she laid eyes on the dazzling boy. Her gaze had traveled to him as soon as she'd taken a seat in the Great Hall after her sorting, and if it hadn't been for the myriad other disturbances and distractions that evening, she'd had struck up conversation with him then and there.

Too many housemates to befriend and chat with - she couldn't focus on the one she really wanted to meet. The pale-eyed boy remained tucked away with his friend, speaking conspiratorially in hushed voices.

It was disappointing, of course, but she was just as excited to greet the others. She'd seek him out later.

Luck was on her side the following morning when she woke up to find him sitting comfortably by the window in Slytherin's Common Room. Fair hair and bright eyes - he was something.

She couldn't quite remember the word she wanted. There was a perfect descriptor somewhere, though. She knew it.

Throwing caution to the wind, she boldly approached him with a smile and a polite greeting - the same one she had painstakingly practiced for hours with Professor Fig to ensure the words came out just right when she entered Hogwarts and needed to meet her peers.

All she needed to do was change the afternoon part of the greeting to the morning. It shouldn't be too challenging. She could manage. Repeating the words in her head a dozen times while she approached him, she finally spoke.

"Good morning, I'm the new fifth year student. Pleasure to meet you." The words, thankfully, tumbled out smooth and not-at-all like they'd been rehearsed to the point of tears.

A good first impression was key.

Her hand twitched for a moment to shake his, but she realized now that she was seeing him up close that surely he would not notice the gesture.

A ghost of a smile came to his lips, and he returned her greeting with gentle poise.

"Ominis Gaunt. You've got quite the reputation already, you know. Dragons on your first day - are you certain you aren't a brave Gryffindor?"

She laughed in response. "I think a Gryffindor might have tried to ride the beast. I'd prefer to be alive to enjoy my reputation."

Ominis chuckled softly. This was going so well.

"That does sound accurate. Well, just be sure to remain in one piece. I'd like to see what else you get up to. I expect you'll be a fine addition to our house." He said pleasantly.

He'd complimented her twice now. Polite conversation prompted her to give him a flattering remark in return. She wanted to. There was so much she actually needed to say about to him - to pay her proper respects to someone so eye-catching in every way.

The words were on the tip of her tongue. She knew what she wanted to say to him - how to describe him. But it just wouldn't come to her. Frustration and impatience prickled at her, and without agonizing over it another moment longer, she hoped he'd understand her when she said -

"You're very much like a serpent. The epitome of Slytherin."

He stiffened and frowned.

She mirrored him.

A mistake.

She'd said something strange again, and she knew it well from his reaction. This certainly wasn't the first time she'd seen that look of perplexed offense on someone's face after she'd spoken.

The way the cogs in Ominis's head turned as he tried to make sense of her meaning was practically visible, and she felt herself break out into a cold sweat. This couldn't be irreparable - she could still fix it. She just needed to remember that damn word.

"I-I mean snakelike. Serpentine? Scaly! Fearsome... oh - " She wanted to make a hand gesture of a snake biting, but it wouldn't help.

"Please, just stop speaking." He said harshly, and she flinched.

Worse. She'd made it worse.

"Sorry, I didn't mean - "

"Stop. Speaking." Ominis ordered through gritted teeth.

Stalking away from her, she knew she'd done poorly. It had always been like this, ever since she was younger. Words just... vanished from her mind the moment she needed them.

The more she thought about the roundabout way she'd attempted to describe the word she wanted, the darker and hotter her face burned in utter shame. Of course, those words weren't even remotely kind or what she'd even wanted to say to him. Intention didn't matter when she'd essentially called the boy a reptile within the first five minutes of meeting him.

Still, there might be a way to salvage it. She'd start by grilling the brunette boy loudly snickering in the corner, who had clearly enjoyed watching her flounder.

Sebastian had been, at first, reluctant to assist her in making amends with his best friend. It had proven far more entertaining to watch her put her proverbial foot in her mouth, he'd said.

After several pleading attempts, he'd ultimately caved to her.

"Fine." He crossed his arms with a smirk. "I'll tell you a way to befriend my poor, dear Ominis, who you verbally slapped in the face. In return, I expect a little something from you, new girl."

Skeptically, she arched a brow but nodded her agreement nonetheless.

"Good. It'll be a simple task for you - and it's on the way." He said, grinning.

"On the way?" She asked, perplexed.

Sebastian nodded, trying not to look as amused as he was by the whole ordeal.

"Ominis likes chocolate frogs. Just grab him a handful from Hogsmeade and apologize properly - he's fairly forgiving for as much of a cold bastard as he seems."

"He doesn't seem at all like a - "

Putting up a hand to shush her, Sebastain grinned.

"While you're there, I simply need you to fetch me a shrivelfig from the plant nursery. That's all." He said simply.

"A shrivelfig? What's the catch?" She asked suspiciously.

Surely, a common bit of produce couldn't be it.

Sebastian chuckled. "No catch. I simply... found myself in detention, and I needed to pick one up for my sister. Help me out?"

Wavering for a moment as if trying to discern a hidden meaning or any trouble beyond his request, she eventually resigned herself to the simple task.

"Well, you did help me out. I suppose it isn't much trouble to pick up a shrivelfig. Still, detention on the first day is impressive, to say the least."

"I try." He barked out a laugh before clapping her on the shoulder.

Their agreement was precisely how Sebastian wound up with a pristine shrivelfig on his nightstand, and a fresh bout of entertainment as Ominis sat in his dorm bed, utterly baffled over the absurd amount of chocolate frogs he'd found placed on his textbooks and floated to him in the corridors throughout the day.

By evening, Ominis was incredibly frazzled, although that did not take away from the fact he still had melted chocolate on his lips.

"You are the only one I know who'd complain about being gifted candies." Sebastian barked out a laugh as his friend unwrapped his fifth frog.

"I'm not complaining - I just would like to know what purpose these anonymous gifts serve." He explained, hastily consuming the treat and licking his fingers.

"Well, can you think of anyone who might have reason to apologize to you for something? Who has already managed to piss off the esteemed Ominis Gaunt so early in the school year?" Sebastian prodded.

Ominis paused at unwrapping the sixth frog while he thought, and horrific realization dawned on him.

He chucked the frog at Sebastian without even thinking, making a noise of utter revulsion.

"Snake girl?" He asked, incredulous, as Sebastian nodded and cackled, falling over on his own bed and hastily unwrapping the candy he'd been pelted with before Ominis could snatch it back. "I'd sooner never eat another chocolate frog again than entertain another moment of her insensitivity."

Sebastian sighed heavily, still smirking. "I don't actually think she had bad intentions, you know. Just hear her out."

"I'd rather go picnicking with Hobhouse. Now, can we change the subject to something more pleasant, like the Gaunts or Dugbogs? I'm losing my appetite." Ominis grumbled, earning another series of barking laughs from Sebastian.

As much as Ominis had been outwardly adamant that he did not want to entertain anymore of her tactlessness, he was almost warming up to the idea when yet another chocolate frog, perhaps the fiftieth one since the debacle began, plopped into his lap while he was napping in the courtyard one warm afternoon.

Sighing as he felt the familiar object, he pocketed the gift and stood, stretching, to go and have a proper conversation with her. She'd tried so hard to curry favor, after all, that he may as well throw her a bone.

If he could find her, that was.

The remainder of that Saturday afternoon, he'd fruitlessly searched the grounds for the pesky girl. By nearly two o'clock, he resigned himself to swallowing his pride and asking one of her friends where she was - though it was a wonder she had any friends to begin with considering the things she spouted from that mouth of hers.

Hogsmeade.

Of course, she'd trekked all the way to Hogsmeade the moment he decided to show her a bit of acceptance. It didn't matter, though. He'd have ample opportunity to speak with her another time. Likely, she'd gone to replenish her stores of frog bribes. Perhaps he could convince her to give him the entire lot in bulk in exchange for his forgiveness.

Musing over this, he made his way back to the courtyard to catch a few more moments of rest before the chaos of dinner.

Calamity found him, however, not long after he'd shut his eyes and began drifting off again. The courtyard was in an uproar, students chattering loudly about something, all flooding into the courtyard.

Ominis groaned at the unwelcome disturbance but reluctantly got up from his resting spot and approached the commotion.

As he got closer, however, his annoyance at being roused quickly turned to dread, and a chill ran down his spine.

"There was an attack on Hogsmeade?"

"Dark Wizards overran the village! I heard from my uncle already - he's got a shop there. He says there were a few casualties."

"Every student's accounted for - except the new girl."

"A few professors went to search for her..."

"Hope she's not dead. Being a ghost in Hogsmeade wouldn't be the worst thing, though. Imagine haunting Honeydukes?"

Ominis felt like he might be sick. While he wasn't overly fond of the girl, he certainly didn't wish her harm. There was no way she could be dead.

Instinctively, his feet carried him toward the school gates, mindlessly wandering while he soaked in this chilling information.

Then, more shouts.

This time, he heard fast, heavy footfalls coming from the path leading to Hogwarts and Professor Sharp's loud, commanding voice telling everyone to clear out of the way.

More whispers and gasps - from what Ominis could glean, their instructor was carrying an injured girl.

Was she dead? Apparently, she at least looked like it.

Someone said her name and his heart sank.

The Hospital Wing smelled overwhelmingly like antiseptic, cleaner, and dittany - all things that made Ominis dizzy. He'd always avoided Nurse Blainey's domain like the plague, particularly since any treatment would be reported to his parents. He much preferred to mend stomach aches and minor injuries on his own.

Finding himself sitting in the little chair next to the bedside of some girl he swore never to interact with again was an even more puzzling location, however.

Sure, it was unfortunate that she'd been caught in the crossfire during the Hogsmeade attack - but she lived. A few broken bones and some lacerations were simple enough for the school Healer to patch up, and the unlucky girl would be back to her usual antics by morning.

He internally questioned what the hell he was doing visiting her in this awful place and nearly stood to leave when he heard her shift in bed.

"Are you going already?" She asked, voice weak and rasped.

Ominis froze in place.

"P-pardon?" He asked, feeling foolish for getting caught. "You've finally woken up?"

A brief moment of silence.

"I, uh... I've been awake for quite a while. You've just been sitting there quietly for... some time. I wanted to think about what to say before I spoke to you. Sorry." She said bashfully.

Her voice came out so timid and hesitant, and Ominis felt guilt gnaw at him. It was obvious her fear of upsetting him was the cause of her trepidation.

Still, was he really at fault?

"Trying to find a different beast to compare me to? Perhaps a roach, this time?" He spat out quickly and almost instantly wanted to take the words back.

She didn't back down, though.

"No, of course not! You're not like a roach at all. Oh... I'm sorry. I can't think. It's been driving me crazy ever since." She whined, miserable and frustrated. "Getting hit on the head today didn't do me any favors, either. I should just cast a spell to make myself mute already."

Running a frustrated hand through his hair, Ominis sighed heavily.

"Don't be absurd. You don't need to mute yourself." He thought for a moment over whether or not he would regret his next sentence. "I forgive you. I wanted to thank you for the chocolate frogs, but you ran and got yourself struck down before I could say anything."

"Struck...?" Ominis startled when she shrieked and laughed. "Striking! Like how a snake strikes! Ominis, I've wanted to tell you that you are absolutely striking!"

His face flushed instantly, and he was, yet again, lost for words.

"I'm what?" He asked, incredulous.

"You always catch my eye in the corridors. Everything about you is just so... honestly, striking is the only word that works. You're like a work of art. Is that strange of me to say?"

Splattering and flustered, Ominis replied, "O-of course, it's strange! Are you out of your damn mind?! You can't just... you can't just say things like that!"

Face and ears dark crimson, he tried to press his hands to his cheeks in a bid to cool them.

Then, she giggled.

"You seem pleased this time, though. Have I done well? I've been hoping to pay you a suitable compliment." She said cheerfully.

Groaning, he answered while trying to contain the smile threatening to blossom on his face. "Frankly, I don't know how many more of your compliments I can handle."

She went quiet for a moment and simply stared at him.

Then, they both burst out laughing.

"I'm sorry, Ominis. I don't mean to insult or fluster you." She says, anything but apologetic once they'd finally quieted.

Seeing him so clearly receptive to the word she'd struggled to find like a Niffler hunting for hidden treasure warmed her heart.

Ominis, struggling to regain composure, couldn't help but ask, "The chocolate frogs. I'm assuming they were your doing. Why?"

"Oh, well, Sebastian said you'd forgive me eventually if I rained chocolate frogs on you." She blurted out cheerfully. "Didn't he tell you?"

Ominis, stunned, reflected on just how many of those damned chocolate frogs Sebastian had helped himself to by now.

"No, he most certainly did not."

Somewhere in the castle, Sebastian Sallow felt a slight chill.

Ominis would need to find a suitable well to call her endearing, as he was so tempted to do. If he was a snake, perhaps he'd toy with her and call her a rabbit.

The Hospital Wing, however, with its two occupants, were quite cozy as they chatted well into the evening.

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thekinkpopstandsforkrackheads · 3 days ago

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Hi! I know youre probably sick of seeing my username 😂 but it's your own fault cause you've become one my favourite account on Tumbr!

I was wondering if I could send a request?? It's okay if you don't want to do it! I won't be offended 😄

So basically... I was thinking if in potions class they brew a truth potion or something like that? Or even Garreth makes it.. or just somehow MC ends up drinking it? And Sebastian realises and he's obviously going to ask her some cheeky questions? And so he asks her like what she likes most about him? And from here on it can totally be up to you're creative flow if you want to take it somewhere else 😄 or if like she said his eyes cause they're sooo pretty and he's like your eyes are brown too MC, and she says yeah but she hates her eyes or something like that? So basically Seb realises how lowly MC thinks of herself and he decides he needs to change that- I don't know! Just some fluffy ending 🤩 I need some encouraging, confidence boosting Seb 🥹

If you don't like that vibe I get it! Just wanted to say I absolutely adore your writing (if you couldn't tell 🥹🥰) sooo so happy I found your account! Getting my daily Sebastian Sallow fix 😂 x

I'm literally never sick of seeing your name.

Brightens my WHOLE day when I see your notifications on my dash because I know it's definitely going to be attached to some super sweet comment or reblog.

Seriously, I get the warm fuzzies every dang time.

I love you thank you for being so supportive.

I'm so happy my blog has provided!

AS FOR YOUR ASK

I love this idea

Seb, being, I think, insecure himself, would be fucking floored to discover someone like MC not having confidence.

The truth serum idea is SO FUN.

I really enjoyed fleshing this out, and these characters have minds of their own sometimes, so this wound up turning into something I DID NOT ORIGINALLY PLAN FOR.

Love em.

And I love you! 😘

Hope you enjoy.

Veritaserum

The little, clear vial sat innocently on the grass between them as Sebastian and MC lounged in the school garden, tucked away from their classmates.

For good reason, too, as the innocuous looking liquid they stared down warily was actually quite nefarious.

Garreth had presented them, quite proudly, with his own version of Veritaserum. A milder version, he said, that would wear off after only a few short minutes. Seven minutes, to be exact. He'd been tinkering with the recipe all summer and finally gotten it right without any side effects - or so he'd promised.

Now, as an unwilling test subject, MC plucked the container up and held it above her head, watching the crystalline potion reflect in the warm sunlight. In exchange for sparing a few of his rarer ingredients, she'd agreed to give his experimental brew a whirl for herself.

Sebastian, trusted friend that he was, volunteered a bit too eagerly to supervise her research.

To avoid unnecessary embarrassment, the two had stolen away to a little corner in a less frequented section of the side garden where she was presently working up the nerve to knock back the concerning serum.

"Weasley said he's drank this precise mixture loads of times with no issue - I'm sure he wouldn't feed you anything deadly." Sebastian assured her, gently tapping the vial in her hand with a grin. "Besides, if anything out of the ordinary happens, I'll be here to whisk you off to Blainey while you blab all your darkest secrets in a castle full of your peers."

Rolling her eyes with a light scoff, she replied, "How reassuring."

"Come on, where's the famous Gryffindor bravery." He nudged her side with his elbow, goading her on.

Reluctantly, she at last uncorked the vial with a groan and tipped it to her lips, allowing the flavorless substance to slide down her throat.

The whole vial was necessary - not simply three drops like the more potent version.

She'd have believed it to be water, had she not immediately felt her body grow slightly warmer and more relaxed - almost like the peaceful buzz she got from having a few butterbeers on a snowy afternoon by the fireplace.

Blissful.

Even Sebastian's cheshire grin couldn't detract from her present state of contentment.

"Right, well... time's wasting." He said slyly, conjuring a small hourglass and turning it to start the countdown until she came to her senses again. "First thing's first - who's the most attractive lad you know?"

Clearly, he had no intention of sparing her even a shred of dignity.

Eased by the potion, however, she put up little resistance in answering.

"Well, you, of course, Sebastian. Followed very closely by Andrew Larson." She said pleasantly, as if she hadn't revealed something mortifying with the tact of someone sharing the lunch menu.

His grin widened at his, but there was an unmistakable tint to his cheeks as he soaked in the positively delicious information that the Hero of Hogwarts fancied him.

At least a bit.

And more than Larson, who'd stolen the hearts of several very pretty witches already.

The only thing left to do now would be to press the issue further, of course. Her fury after this all wore off be damned, he was going to get answers.

"And what, precisely, do you find most attractive about me, dear?" He asked, leaning forward in anticipation.

She stumbled over her words briefly, and Sebastian worried the potion might be wearing off early as his eyes darted to the still-half-full hourglass before she finally answered.

"I'm not sure - there's so many things to like. Your freckles, your hair, your eyes, your voice, your wit, your loyalty, your skill with a wand... it's all so endearingly perfect. I don't know that I can pick just one feature." She whined, eyes scrutinizing him in an attempt to be certain.

"Gods be good..." He breathed out, face horribly flushed.

Pulling at his collar in a weak attempt to cool the sweltering heat of his body, he realized now that this may have been a mistake. He'd only meant to tease her a bit - perhaps nab a juicy bit of gossip to torment her with for a few days.

This, however, was only serving to fluster him.

She had no choice but to be truthful, which meant every word she spoke may as well have been law.

Endearing.

It felt far too scorching for a spring day suddenly.

Unbeknownst to her, she'd turned the tables quite brutally on Sebastian, and the sand was sifting rapidly through the hourglass as he struggled and failed to regain composure. There had to be a way to change the topic. He needed to redirect her so she'd stop looking at him like that.

"Uh, what about you then - what's your favorite thing about yourself?" He stammered out pathetically.

Again, she faltered, and a look of panic crossed her features.

Sebastian could practically hear the way she would surely tell him, with all the arrogance she should so rightly own, that there were simply too many things lovely and wonderful about herself that she couldn't only pick one.

Surely, that was why she still say there, as the sand continued trickling downward, with her lips parted in confusion.

"I... don't have one." She admitted blankly.

"Because there's so much to love, eh?" He nudged her shoulder playfully, grinning.

The grin slipped from his face when she shook her head, brows furrowed while she tried to think of a suitable answer to his question.

"What do you mean by that?" He asked carefully, feeling sudden dread settle in his chest like a weight.

"I mean, there's nothing to call a favorite because there's nothing to like in the first place."

Her tone, so matter-of-fact under the potion's effect, shattered his heart. Nothing to like - she truly believed that.

It was a soul-shattering realization that this witch he could scarcely believe was real most days could see nothing of value in herself.

A wave of nausea rolled over him. How had he never picked up on this? Perhaps it was an unintended side effect of the potion? Should he ask Garreth?

Should he rush her to the Hospital Wing?

There was simply no way in hell she really felt that way about herself. It was absurd.

Every day, they'd banter, and she'd always profess her superiority. Walked and behaved with such confidence that few dared even approach her casually for fear they weren't worthy. Nothing ever fazed her.

The sand was nearly gone now, and he didn't want to ask more. He didn't want to know a single thing going on in her head at that moment, and he wanted to put back what he did know - the vulnerabilities he'd pried from his unwitting friend.

As her friend, however, he had an obligation to know more, and a responsibility further still to do something with that knowledge.

So he dug deeper.

"Surely there's something. Even you have to admit your own stunning looks. I know you own a mirror, you daft girl."

"I try not to look in it beyond simply making certain my hair is brushed and my uniform isn't backward." She said flatly of the mirror before elaborating. "I don't like what I see when I look in it. Dull hair, scarred skin, plain face. Last time I looked too long, I stayed in bed sick from class because I was too embarrassed to show myself to the rest of you."

That was it. Too much. He'd learned far too much, and there was no putting any of it back.

Sebastian choked, and his chest constricted painfully at her blunt confession. While he'd never said as much aloud, he'd always liked the way she looked - loved everything about her, in fact. It never seemed pertinent to tell her when the truth of it all seemed so obvious because she was simply perfect in his eyes.

Now he wished more than anything he'd told her daily just how radiant she was.

Less than two minutes remained, and he simply watched the sand slip through until it was gone.

Seven minutes, as promised, and when the last grain of sand fell, he heard her gasp, and he flinched, unable to rip his eyes away from the bench to dare looking at her.

He was terrified of seeing the expression on her face after he'd betrayed her trust and revealed her insecurities so callously.

Part of him silently hoped she didn't remember what either of them had discussed.

Nothing else mattered when he saw a small droplet of water spill onto the bench, followed by another, and another, and then a soft sniffle.

At last, he swallowed thickly and dared to look up to a sight that gutted him.

Wide eyes brimming with tears now cascading down her cheeks, she looked horrified with both hands clasped over her mouth.

Sebastian wanted to cry, too.

"I-I like your face, you know. I don't think you're plain at all, and - " He started to say, fumbling his words before she cut him off.

"Please, Sebastian, please never bring this up again. None of it." She said quietly, standing and fleeing from the garden.

Absent from the rest of her classes, he didn't see her for the rest of the day. Every fiber of his being berated him for not stopping her from leaving. He'd been stunned silent by her brutal honesty and self-hatred when he should have held her and told her how it was all untrue.

His big mouth and devastating curiosity had spoiled everything, and now he needed to do something to fix it.

Off to Garreth, he went.

Wide-eyed and horrified for the second time in less than twenty-four hours, she gaped up at Sebastian the next morning in the Great Hall during breakfast. While she'd known he wasn't simply going to let their prior conversation go without a fight, what he was doing now was unthinkable.

Stood proudly on the bench of her table, he held a familiar crystal vial in his hand and had just loudly announced it was a truth serum.

To the entire Great Hall.

With a wink to her, Sebastian uncorked it and knocked it back with a quick swig before the effects were almost instantly visible. The red on his cheeks and the tension in his shoulders disappeared.

Glazed expression and relaxed posture, Garreth couldn't help but look on with a pleased grin to see his work produce the desired results - frankly, he'd still been a bit worried about side effects, but no one needed to know that.

Garreth also had a job to do in exchange for Sebastian's eagerness to help test the potion.

Amused, Garreth called over to Sebastian, "Who's the prettiest girl in Hogwarts?"

Sebastian, without a moment of hesitation, responded with MC's name. In response, she blushed brilliantly and knocked over her pumpkin juice, floundering and wanting to be absorbed into the table with the spilled liquid when the entire student body turned their attention from Sebastian to herself.

Their whispers and giggles grew as the spectacle continued.

Face burning, she snapped her head back up to look at him in shock when Garreth asked his next question.

"Why's she so pretty?"

Sebastian, standing unfocused and subdued, replied, "Everything about her is pretty. I love the way she looks, of course. I've never seen a more stunning witch even in the fashion magazines. Top of our class, dueling prowess, heroism, and the kindest heart I've ever known. She's flawless. I can't believe she speaks to me."

"Oh my, Sallow - you sound like you're in love with her. Are you?" Garreth asked, delighted by the ordeal as he repeated the questions Sebastian had made him memorize.

"Yes." Sebastian answered simply before, at last, Professor Sharp took mercy on both Sebastian and the object of his affections by guiding the boy off the table and furiously ushering him from the room.

MC sat in stunned silence, face burning, while she wondered just what the fuck he was thinking while the jeers and whistles of their classmates permeated her thoughts.

Later that day, she found an incredibly sheepish Sebastian waiting for her outside of Ancient Runes with a small wildflower bouquet in hand, which he held out to her as a clear peace offering.

To his credit, he managed to meet her gaze despite the wicked blush on his face and strong desire to run.

"If that was your plan to make me feel less self-conscious, I have to admit you've done a poor job of it. Everyone's been hounding me all morning with imitations of your infamous declaration. " She said dryly, accepting the bouquet still, though.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Sebastian shifted his weight on his feet uncomfortably while he mulled over the dozens of feeble excuses he'd planned. They all seemed to fall quite flat in that moment, however, as he simply withered under her sharp gaze.

Clearly, she'd been unimpressed.

So, he settled on a plain truth.

"I knew you wouldn't believe me if I'd just flat-out told you how I felt after, well, everything, so I convinced Garreth to give me a dose of his damn potion." He explained, finally looking down at her guiltily.

He flinched when her only reaction was a subtle arch of her brow and a prod for more.

"And you assumed the best tactic was to bellow all those feelings in front of the school rather than privately where these types of matters are typically discussed?"

A fair question, of course, and one he also had an answer for.

"Well, I figured it was only fair I humiliate myself a bit after I took advantage of your own forced honesty yesterday. I owed it to you to at least give you that much." Sebastian told her simply, with a slight smile. "I really did mean all of it, too. Every word."

Now she finally gave him the reaction he'd wanted - and an adorable one, at that.

She stuttered and blushed while trying to maintain that confident posturing they both now knew was an utter lie.

"Well, of course you meant it. One can't exactly resist that blasted concoction, as you and I are now well aware. Fuck's sake, Sebastian." She said irritably, but there was an unmistakable smile on her lips that she simply couldn't hide.

A very good sign indeed.

His work was far from over, however, and so he risked public humiliation for the both of them one more time.

Taking a bold step toward her, Sebastian raised his hand to place on her cheek, disregarding the fact that they were still in a bustling hallway, and held her waist with his other. Before she could even form a thought in her flustered state, he leaned down and kissed her. It was a shy, almost timid thing from an inexperienced boy trying to convey even an ounce of the vast affection he held for the girl he cared for, but it seemed to do the trick when he felt her reciprocate the act, just slightly.

Not wanting to push the matter too far, he pulled back a bit to look at her and smiled fondly.

"Then, as requested, can we please continue this discussion privately? I still have quite a lot of things I need to say to my favorite girl." He asked softly.

She nodded, stunned speechless, and Sebastian couldn't help but chuckle again and press another quick peck to her lips.

"Too cute." He grinned, reveling in the sweet reactions he could pull from her. "Later this evening, I'd like to take you for butterbeer so I can dote on you properly and tell you how spectacular you are until you have no choice but to believe me. I'll even take another truth serum, if need be."

Regaining some semblance of composure, she snorted out a small laugh. "Oh, I believe that you think those things are the truth - now I just think you've got piss-poor taste."

"There's my sarcastic witch. No matter, this just gives me ample opportunity to compliment you even more. You know I never back down from a challenge - I'll make you look in the mirror and see what I do. Even if I have to dose the whole of Hogwarts with that truth serum and have you listen as each and every student praises you for - "

The sound of a man's throat clearing from directly behind them ripped both students from their not-so-private conversation, as none other than Professor Sharp stood with his arms crossed and an incredulous look on his face.

"After I was so lenient following your breakfast spectacle this morning, Sallow, you're brazenly discussing drugging the student body in the corridors? Perhaps you do need detention after all." He stood firm and disapproving.

A few nervous laughs and excuses of just joking later, Sharp still dragged Sebastian down the halls as the boy desperately called back to her.

"Butterbeer! After supper!" He said, shouting to be heard over the crowded halls. Followed by one final shout before he was dragged around the corner. "You're really, very pretty!"

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thekinkpopstandsforkrackheads · 3 days ago

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okay, so, i just recently started cosmetology school after not having been in any school for over two years, and let me tell you….it is a JARRING experience. the class is small and fun, but studying and doing homework again is doubly annoying and nostalgic. i’d love your take on sebastian and MC studying in their 7th year for their N.E.W.T.s, perhaps in their favorite study spot in the library, or maybe in the room of requirement if MC had shown seb the room. i adore sebastian as a diligent student (we all know how much he loves books and learning new thinga) but with the situation i’m in right now, i rather favor the idea of him giving MC a hard time whilst she attempted to study next to him (whether it be with teasing comments, him enchanting paper birds to tangle themselves in her hair until she paid attention to him, or fleeting touches that were aimed to distract. downright insufferable.) MC had harbored a crush for the boy that rooted back deep; she had realized her feelings after they had their argument about lodgok, hating the way her heart yearned for him in his angry absence. therefore, his teasing words and charming persona always made her flustered; especially since sebastian seemed to direct that sort of attention at only her, that particular fact starting after he had brought her to meet anne. as for sebastian himself, the first time MC bounded into feldcroft with the biggest, most genuine smile on her face, more than enthused to meet his sister and help her in any way possible, well…he knew he was a goner. they were blissfully unaware of each others feelings, but maybe this particular study session changes that? if you can’t tell, i’ve put a lot of thought into the scenario 😭😭😭 it definitely helps when i’m in the trenches of my textbook, desperately hoping i retain any of the information for my tests lmfaoooo. it’s hopeless. thank god for sebastian and your skilled writing. 🙏🙏🙏

GODSPEED IN YOUR STUDIES, MY FRIEND.

I don't envy you, and I hope your tests went well!!! I don't know much about cosmetology, but I admire your pursuit - from my limited understanding, it takes a lot of passion and dedication. Congratulations on working hard toward your goal!

For your ask, I frankly love the idea of a super obnoxious Seb distracting MC from her studies. @ellivenollivander pointed out recently that Sebastian is the only student she saw in her playthrough that didn't study when the others were, and so tbh its pretty much canon at that point that he's someone who doesn't need to cram.

He studies with others to either help them understand concepts or to pester them, and in this case, HE'S PESTERIN'.

Too Close for Comfort

Sebastian Sallow was downright handsome, and MC could not deny that fact. Everything about the boy entranced her, and had for two whole years.

Messy brown hair that somehow always made her want to run her fingers through it, plush, kissable lips perpetually smirking at whatever mischief his mind brewed, and those damn gorgeous freckles. His eyes, too, were impossible not to be drawn to, and the way she had to look up to see them nearly brought her to her knees.

The boy was an absolute menace, though, and she was reminded of this torturous fact as yet another origami bird swooped down and tangled itself into her hair.

The seventh one that morning, in fact.

The first one had nearly gotten her kicked out of the Library as she had screamed quite loudly, startled by its unexpected paper assault.

Sebastian had pleaded with her to study together for their impending NEWTs, and foolishly, she'd acquiesced.

While the young man she'd harbored feelings for had always been studious, his patience with dedicated studying had apparently gone downhill in recent months - or rather, had plummeted so deeply she doubted even the goblin miners could have recovered it.

For what felt like the hundredth time, she swatted an enchanted bird away and reread her paragraph on the Soap Blizzard of 1378. Dry material made more intolerable by her snickering companion.

But damn if she didn't adore the sound of his stifled laughter.

It took everything in her not to smile, as even obnoxious attention from Sebastian was always appreciated. Particularly after those long weeks when they'd fought over Lodgok, and he'd bitterly ignored her existence entirely. That miserable argument was the spark that ignited her feelings for him, and she'd been hopelessly pining for him since.

The thought of ever being separated again brought such a tight ache to her chest that she couldn't dwell on it for long, and instead relished in small moments like their private study sessions where they were simply together.

Not necessarily in the way she'd prefer, but every second with him was a treat. It was also wretched punishment as she was painfully aware of every movement, every noise, and every little glance between them now more than ever. But it was beautiful torture all the same.

Until he started tapping his quill against her knee, drumming a rhythmless tune and distracting her, yet again, from her mind-numbingly dull studies.

"Sebastian, enough! Do you want me to fail?" She hissed quietly, shooting a sharp glare at him.

Mild annoyance bubbled up at the sight of his grin - he was pleased to have finally gotten a rise out of her.

A blush crept to her cheeks, impossible to fend off, as his chaired creaked and he leaned so close to her she could feel the heat of his breath tickle her neck, whispering in her ear, "And here I thought I might have died and become a ghost in my boredom the way you've been ignoring me all morning."

A delighted shiver coursed down her spine, and she repressed the near-insatiable urge to turn her head the meager distance it would take to connect their lips, opting instead, regrettably, to hunker back down into her book with a retort.

"Ignoring you? We're meant to be studying, in case you've forgotten. I'm beginning to see why Ominis has banned you from his study sessions with Andrew and Amit." She muttered, trying to ignore how she could smell his shampoo.

She wanted to close her eyes and bury her face in the scent, finding it more intoxicating than anything they could drink at the Hog's Head from the way it clung to the air around them. It consumed her I a way that put the thick incense of the Astrology room to shame.

Sebastian chuckled again, and the sound was far too close, in her ear still, and she could feel her composure slipping further. He really had no idea what he was doing to her and how she was all but squirming in her seat as he obliviously brought about the poor girl's undoing with a few innocent gestures.

"It's much more fun to study with you, though. Ominis doesn't react so adorably when I pester him." He said lowly, and she could swear he was almost imperceptibly closer.

The barest sliver more, and his lips might very well connect with her ear.

And then she would simply combust on the spot.

She wished he would, and then she prayed he wouldn't.

There was simply no way in hell he didn't feel the scorching heat radiating from her burning face by now, and she hoped he might simply suspect she was dying of dragon pox rather than flustered by his proximity. The situation was both thrilling and mortifying, and she wanted simultaneously to vomit, flee, and pin him to the library table and ravish him.

"A-adorable? Perhaps I ought to join the boys in their study and leave you to flounder alone. You can pester the librarian." She answered, cursing the way her voice cracked and betrayed her nerves.

Again, he let out a breathless little laugh.

And then, without warning, Sebastian reached a hand up and ghosted it across her cheek, tucking a strand of hair back behind the ear he was still speaking into.

Already short-circuiting, her brain could not process this new development. There was no way he could possibly be -

"I can't flirt with Scribner though, can I? I much prefer your company for such things." He told her playfully, voice just barely above a whisper as that same hand of his traveled down along her arm to her hand, nudging it off her textbook so that he could close the cover entirely, removing the distraction. "And yes, I'm flirting with you. Or rather, attempting to if you'd pay me some attention."

Mouth dry, she at last tilted her head to face him and could have swooned on the spot.

Sebastian, still offering that perfectly lopsided grin, held her gaze with his own penetrating stare. She felt very much like a petrified rabbit, trapped and suffocated by the presence of someone who could swallow her whole.

The witch who brought about the ends of countless enemies effortlessly forced to heel by a mere schoolboy. If she were an observer to the situation, she might find it pathetic - comedic, even. Unfortunately, she was awestruck and silent, incapable of coherent thought and speech as Sebastian's admission he truly was flirting with her tumbled around inside her now-empty skull.

As she floundered pitifully for words, his own face flushed a bit, and she could practically see his apprehension growing when she failed to respond, but damn her tongue for not working properly.

Instead, he spoke again, a bit more bashfully this time. "You know, you're just far too popular now. Busy as always, but I can't seem to get you alone anymore unless it's to study. I should have just asked you out ages ago - back when you first visited Feldcroft with me, and I knew I was smitten, in fact. Maybe then I wouldn't have resorted to schoolyard tactics to get your attention, and you'd already be mine."

"I already am yours, Sebastian." She replied dumbly, not even thinking about how he might take that particular confession.

Because it was true.

She had been unquestionably his for ages, and while unspoken, it appeared they both knew it.

This revelation, rather than stunning him into a similar state of shyness as herself, instead brightened his smile considerably, and Sebastian relaxed. Inwardly, she was quite thankful that at least one of them could function and lead the conversation.

"So you are." He affirmed, kissing the tip of her nose affectionately before pulling away to cock his head curiously at her. "For such a chatty thing, you certainly have clammed up during a rather important conversation regarding our mutual affection."

This call-out only served to darken her blazing cheeks, and she grimaced. "I-I can't really find the words at the moment, sorry."

"Well, no matter..." Sebastian replied, that smile of his transforming into something a bit more familiar - and devious.

Slipping a hand around the back of her head and firmly tilting her up, he finally captured her lips with his own and demonstrated that words weren't even necessary to convey the point.

She would happily be rendered speechless by him any time he pleased.

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thekinkpopstandsforkrackheads · 4 days ago

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I'm officially in love with your writing, still making my way through your masterlist but omg your writing is so good!!

I was wondering if I could put in a request about Sebastian suffering from nightmares and feeling lonely after all that happened, and eventually only being able to find comfort in MC's presence because he realizes she's the only constant in his life, while simultaneously realizing his growing feelings for her but being kinda afraid she would never feel the same so he suffers in silence, until she proves him wrong?

Thank you <3 <3

Hey, Anon!

I love you, first of all. Absolutely enamored with you for taking the time to weed through my masterlist.

Second, HE WOULD ABSOLUTELY HAVE NIGHTMARES. This poor boy is so traumatized and he would be isolated and just... a wreck.

Sebastian needs a hug.

MC is gonna do that.

Love writing about giving this SAD BABY affection.

I hope you enjoy!!

The Room of Requirement

Solomon’s lifeless eyes were burned into Sebastian’s memory as he jolted awake in a cold sweat, again, with a startled yelp.

At the frustrated groans of his roommates, he grabbed his pillow and blanket and tore them from the bed, padding quietly out of the room and down the stone steps into the Common Room, setting up a makeshift bed on the sofa near the fireplace.

Every single night he’d endured the same image – the same horrific nightmare. That one regretful decision in the catacombs. He could feel every sensation as if it had happened only moments prior.

The smell of burning flesh as his friend scorched through a veritable horde of Inferi, the sting of his own wounds while he bitterly defended himself against his uncle’s onslaught, the feeling of blind loathing when that fateful curse crossed his lips and the resulting dread the second his magic struck true.

And then Anne.

Her expression when she looked at him – hateful and revolted.

Sebastian’s stomach twisted tighter into a knot, and he curled in on himself, raking a hand down his face as he tried desperately to erase that image from his mind. If only for the briefest of moments, he needed a reprieve. His own mind was a torturous prison, and he almost wished they’d simply sent him to Azkaban where he belonged. At least there he might lose his mind rather than be stuck with these damn memories.

But no, ever the infuriatingly loyal companion, his steadfast witch had tirelessly worked to convince both Anne and Ominis that he ought to be spared – that he was worth mercy.

Even Sebastian was unconvinced, but they’d somehow listened to her, and now here he was, free of punishment. Thus, his own conscience saw fit to punish him for his crimes instead.

The days were mostly fine – mostly. He could typically distract himself with studies and coursework and the mundanity of life inside the castle walls. It was far better than summertime had been, cooped up alone in that cottage in Feldcroft with Solomon’s corpse buried just outside. At least here, it wasn’t so quiet, and his thoughts weren’t left to wander aimlessly back to those catacombs as they so often wanted to do.

Of course, there was one source of comfort that Sebastian had discovered.

One he couldn’t even fathom deserving, but that he shamelessly took advantage of when she was available.

And available she had made herself, as always, when she eventually trudged down the stairs into the Common Room just as the sun came up. Bleary-eyed and yawning, with her hair still carelessly disheveled and her school tie unfastened, MC greeted Sebastian with a warm smile the moment her eyes locked onto his still-awake form on that same sofa he’d camped out on the whole night. It was a routine they’d started since the first of term when she initially stumbled upon him, nestled on the sofa rather than his dorm bed.

She was the only one who still looked at him like that - as if there was no one else she'd rather catch sight of. It stole his breath away each time and made whatever nightmares that were stagnant in his mind vanish.

Perpetually understanding, she never once questioned why he was there in the Common Room. Instead, she’d simply plop down next to him, obnoxiously draping her legs across his own, and begin chattering away about anything and everything she could think of.

It might have seemed annoying to anyone watching – the way she thoughtlessly invaded his personal space while he was clearly having a hard time, just to talk his ear off about the best mallowsweet patches and a peculiar-colored diricawl she’d once spotted.

To Sebastian, however, the girl was a god-send.

The comfort she unknowingly provided by doing nothing more than behaving casually around him gave him the illusion of normalcy, and he’d mindlessly fiddle with her stockings and the hem of her skirt while her legs rested across his lap as he allowed himself to get lost in her rambling stories and rants. While she might be wholly clueless as to how each of these moments were saving both his sanity and his life, Sebastian was becoming intimately aware of her presence as they progressed through their sixth year.

Of course, he was utterly sickened by his own deepening feelings toward his friend, unworthy as he was of harboring them, and so he pushed those down with the rest of the emotions and torment festering away in his gut. He’d sooner gnaw off his own arm than even consider acting on anything that might push his one saving grace away.

Instead, he nodded along and conversed pleasantly, pretending like nothing at all was amiss despite the fact he was sitting in a nest of his own bedding in a common area.

Sitting in detention again after falling asleep in class again, Sebastian slumped over the desk in Hecat’s classroom while his stomach growled for a dinner he was missing and his eyelids drooped heavily from continued sleep deprivation. Lines were utter torture, and he wondered briefly if the snarky old woman might finally make good on her threat to light his robes on fire should he fall asleep during his punishment.

By some miracle, however, he managed to make it out of her room an hour later, unscathed and somehow still upright.

With hurried footsteps, Sebastian made his way toward the Great Hall, hoping against all odds that he could still fill a plate with food and inhale the contents of it before the meal vanished back into the table. With less than a minute to spare, he was about to bolt through the imposing double doors in a bid to get something into his stomach when a hand snagged the back of his robes and tugged him roughly away from his destination.

His face fell as he watched the doors slam shut, but not before the devastating sight of all the food disappearing before his eyes drained what little hope he had left. Off to bed with an empty stomach again, it seemed.

Sighing heavily, he turned to glower at the reason for his continued misery but perked up significantly to see his favorite witch still dragging him along through the castle halls with a serious look on her face.

Sebastian spun around and dislodged her hand from his clothing, twining her fingers with his own and swinging their arms playfully while he plastered a grin on his face.

What did dinner matter, anyway?

“To what do I owe the pleasure? I’d have thought you’d be –“

Instantly cutting himself off, Sebastian’s words evaporated on his tongue, and his smile fell away when she stopped in front of him and looked at him with such displeasure he thought he might just crumble.

“Enough with this ridiculous act you’re putting on. I can’t stand watching you pretend to be alright anymore, Sebastian.” She said miserably, looking at him hard.

He withered immediately and simply nodded. Always so damn perceptive.

“You’ve not slept in ages, Sebastian. You’re falling behind in class – and that’s only when you’re conscious through the entire lecture. You’re not even staying in your dorm. You look more like a ghost than the Bloody Baron!” She spoke, a slight bit of panic tinging her voice while she carried on.

Sebastian shook his head, dismissing her. “I’ve always been a bit of an insomniac, you know that. You and I spent last year skulking about the castle at all hours of the night – I just need to adjust my sleeping schedule a bit.”

It was always a bit easier to keep up the act around her, the way merely being near her seemed to lighten his burden.

“You’re not fooling anyone, Sebastian – least of all me.” Her voice was soft, and she reached a hand up to brush her thumb along his face, just under his eye where he knew the dark bags were glaringly obvious.

She groaned, frustrated, when he simply shrugged in response and spun to tug him along again, this time at a quicker pace.

He didn’t bother asking where they were going – didn’t need to. The path to the Room of Requirement was familiar to him after she’d revealed her secret hideaway to him in their fifth year while avoiding an especially pesky pair of Prefects one late night out past curfew. While he’d never been able to make the Room appear himself, much as he tried, he still glanced at the blank wall in awe each and every time he passed it, wondering if she might be on the other side.

Now, however, they were making a beeline for the magnificent place, and Sebastian couldn’t wait to delve into the wonders she kept there. Perhaps he’d spend all night relaxing in her Vivarium rather than running through the endless horrors of the catacombs. Her little sanctuary was filled to the brim with entertainment and mysteries he could occupy his time with.

The sight that greeted him when they crossed the threshold of the once spacious and busy room, however, was lackluster.

“What the hell is this?” He blurted out, staring at the simple, tiny space.

Rather than a palatial wonder of magic and enchantment, with flying books and wild herb gardens and bubblings brews, the Room was now hardly the size of his own dormitory. There sat a single, plush bed, an armchair, an end table, and a fireplace. While cozy, it was not at all what he’d wanted.

Wordlessly, she shoved him inside and pushed him, face-first, onto the bed.

It was surprisingly soft but did not detract from his abject disappointment as he turned to sit on the bed and stare up at her, perplexed and waiting for some sort of explanation.

“You’re going to sleep, damn you.” She said simply.

He gaped up at her, speechless for a moment, before stammering out, "S-sleep? Is that why you've set the room up to look like some frilly old woman's cottage? Not to be ungrateful, but I do have a bed, you know. With significantly less lace and floral arrangements..."

Picking at the frilly bedding and gesturing to the vases and pots of lavender around the little room, Sebastian wrinkled his nose to punctuate the point.

Scoffing and crossing her arms, she offered little more than a glare that could make even Professor Sharp bite his tongue.

"I use this room to sleep, you know. I'm aware you've been suffering nightmares, Sebastian. I've been dealing with the same. When it gets to be too much, the Room becomes this, and I sleep like a baby. You'll do the same. But first..."

Stalking off to the small table in the corner, she picked up a plate piled high with an assortment of food and brought it over to him, dropping it into his lap.

"You'll eat your supper. You've been missing too many meals, what with your record-breaking streak of detentions this year. I pilfered this from the Kitchens earlier." She explained as he stared down in awe - each of his favorites was neatly arranged there.

Before he could argue the point and insist he was not going to sit there and eat in front of her like a child, his stomach growled loudly. Obediently, he tucked in, occasionally glancing up at her, only to quickly avert his gaze to hide the blooming blush on his cheeks. The pleased smile she wore while watching him was overwhelming. The simplicity of her simple act of care was entirely too much.

Plate empty, she seemed satisfied as she took it off his hands and set it back on the table before coming back over to the bed.

Ready to thank her and bid her goodnight, despite knowing very well a bit of lavender and some pretty bedsheets wouldn't fix his head, he was left stuttering and flustered when she slipped onto the bed herself, watching him expectantly.

"W-what are you doing? I thought I was meant to sleep here?" He asked, dumbfounded.

"Of course you are. But not before we get you good and ready. Now, sit with your back to me and try to relax a bit - you're always so tense." She stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Sebastian didn't move.

Instead, he remained stiff as a board and broke out in a cold sweat, unsure where this was going. Laying next to him on a secluded bed with her legs parted well more than was decent, she couldn't possibly be so bold as to -

"Get your filthy mind out of the gutter and do as you're told, Sebastian." She chided with a light laugh, pulling his back flush against her so that he was nestled between her legs.

There was no way in hell she didn't feel the heat rising off him in waves.

"What the hell are you - oh..."

Panic turned to bliss when her delicate hands, still rested on his shoulders, began to knead at his stiff muscles. The tension slowly released as she worked, and his eyes fluttered closed as he relished in the way her fingers pressed and dragged along his neck and spine and shoulders, occasionally dipping beneath his shirt collar to work out an especially tight knot.

Nearly an hour later of this, Sebastian could safely say he had never been more relaxed in his entire life. The calming aroma of lavender periodically wafted across his nose, settling his nerves even further.

After she'd finished with her more rigorous massage, she set to work gently raking her fingernails across his scalp and combing through his hair with her hands. Sebastian had long since given up on suppressing the contented little whines and sighs she pulled from him and was now a shameless puddle of goo in her hands.

The last thing he remembered as his eyelids grew heavy and his breathing slowed was hearing her whisper a sweet goodnight in his ear.

The following morning, expecting to open his eyes to the Slytherin Common Room, Sebastian blinked several times in confusion while taking in his surroundings and attempting to recall just where the fuck he was.

Distinctly feminine bedsheets, the floral scent in the air, and the sound of someone else breathing deeply just beside him.

A rush of panic coursed through him when he saw who that someone else was.

The Room.

They'd fallen asleep there.

Together.

Heart racing, Sebastian's mind went to static. What was the appropriate way to handle this sort of situation? Did this even count as a morning after? Should he even feel so awkward? Would she?

They hadn't even done anything - surely there was nothing to overthink.

Yet, here they were. He'd at some point in the night latched onto her like she was a damn teddy bear.

While he thoughts spiraled into increasingly more worrisome scenarios, she stirred beside him and peeked her eyes open, watching with amusement as if his thoughts were clear as day on his features.

"All that work to calm your nerves, and now I wake to find you in a tizzy." She mused before a flicler of concern passed over her. "Did my methods not work? Did you have another nightmare?"

For the briefest of moments, sebastian had forgotten what a nightmare even was.

"Uh, no. No nightmares to speak of, just... sorry." He said dully, untangling himself from her and trying not to meet her eyes.

Snickering, she pulled him back down and wrapped her own arms around him, and if his heart hadn't been about to stop before, he was certainly going to die now.

"Come on, it's still early. And it's Saturday. Get a bit more rest. I'll hold you captive here until I'm satisfied you've caught up on your sleep." She told him slyly, and he had no doubt she really would keep him prisoner in the Room.

Half-expecting shackles to appear at her behest, Sebastian sighed in resignation and sank back against the pillow, looking at her sleepy face with curiosity.

"Why?" He asked simply, and they both knew what he meant, but he didn't have the energy to elaborate.

Why was she always looking after him? Why did she deem him worthy of this sort of concern? She was a hero, and he was some failure who'd murdered a man.

The look of mild amusement faded, and she instead pressed a kiss to his forehead.

"Because I love you dearly, and it pains me to see you the way you've been. It'll take time to mend all our wounds from last year, but we'll manage. For now, just promise to take little moments like this with me when you feel overwhelmed."

There were so many parts of that explanation he wanted to analyze - how she loved him dearly, especially. Sleep was quickly winning out oflver curiosity, however, and the intoxicating scent of lavender mixed with her comforting warmth proved too much.

With a reluctant whine, Sebastian could only nod and slip back into a much-needed slumber.

She was right - it was Saturday, after all. There was plenty of time for that discussion later. Sleep was a far more pressing need, especially when he finally felt safe.

When he woke up again, he'd be the one holding her hostage in bed, demanding to know just what this all meant. He knew what it all meant, of course - she'd said the damn words. But he'd pin her down when he had the strength to do so and make her say them again until he was satisfied.

Perhaps he'd even return the favor and give her a massage, as well.

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thekinkpopstandsforkrackheads · 4 days ago

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If I may, I’ve always wanted a glimpse of an American MC coming to Hogwarts and Sebastian noticing how different they take their tea and being so horrified he has to say intervine 😬🙏🏼

Hello, Anon!

Thank you so much for the adorable prompt!

I hope this silly little drabble gives you the glimpse you were looking for.

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Word Count: ~1000

Tea Transgressions

It was a relatively sleepy, mundane morning in the Great Hall, and Sebastian Sallow had just finished a slice of toast when he spotted her.

The newly-arrived witch from the States was sitting amongst her fellow Gryffindors, hunched over breakfast with an alarming level of concentration whilst her peers very pointedly refused to so much as look at her.

He'd shared a few classes with the peculiar new addition to their school over the last week, and they had exchanged plenty of barbs outside of those lessons; enough for Sebastian to be intrigued - if not, perhaps, just a bit entertained.

She was sharp, quick with a comeback, and had a rare sort of confidence Sebastian hadn’t encountered before, aside from looking in his mirror.

But this morning, he felt his curiosity turn to horror as he found his desire to know just what mishap she'd offended the others with, and slowly he stood and crossed the Great Hall to get a better view…

And watched her prepare her tea.

At first, he thought he must be seeing things. She held a small jar of raspberry preserves, and - Merlin, was she actually - yes, she was spooning it directly into her teacup.

He’d seen her make some interesting choices in her brief time within the castle before, but this - this was positively ghastly. Biting his lip, Sebastian watched as she added a splash of milk to the now fruit-laden concoction and stirred it with the casualness of someone who hadn’t just committed a tea-related crime.

Sebastian couldn’t bear it any longer. He swiftly slipped over, planting himself in the seat across from her with a dramatic sigh. She looked up, a smirk already playing on her lips as if she just knew.

“Good morning, Sebastian.” She greeted slyly. “To what do I owe the honor?”

“Good morning.” He replied with exaggerated gravity, leaning back and gesturing to her teacup. “Though I’m not sure how good it can be with that affront to civilization sitting between us.”

She raised a brow, clearly amused. “Ah, yes, the infamous tea lectures. I wondered how long it would take for yet another one of you to come hound me.”

Sebastian scoffed, pressing a hand to his heart in mock offense. “Lectures? I prefer to think of it as cultural preservation. And I’ll have you know, what you’ve done here is nothing short of scandalous. Raspberry preserves in your tea? We may be in a castle, but even this isn’t far enough removed from society for such an offense.”

She laughed, unphased, and held up her teacup proudly. “This is how my mother used to drink it back in Boston. She says it adds sweetness without too much sugar, and if you ask me, it’s quite charming.”

“Charming?” He replied with a scoff. “Charming is a well-timed quip or an eloquent argument. This is an affront to the entirety of sensibility.”

She merely shrugged, taking a long, defiant sip. “And yet, it’s delicious.”

Sebastian narrowed his eyes, clearly displeased, though his lips twitched with a hint of a smile.

“You can’t be serious. Just because it’s done across the Atlantic doesn’t mean it’s right. Here -” He said, moving her cup to the side with a flourish. “Let me show you the proper way.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t dare interrupt the sacred ritual.” She said, folding her hands and sitting pretty with obviously exaggerated politeness. “Please, do enlighten me.”

Sebastian cast her a sideways glance, debating whether she was mocking him, but decided to press on, determined.

“First…” He began, “No more jams or jellies of any kind. Tea requires only the basics - a quality blend, a careful pour, and perhaps a hint of milk.”

“Perhaps?” She repeated, feigning shock. “I expected something more decisive from Hogwarts' tea and dueling master.”

He shot her a look of severity. “Do you want the lesson or not?”

She stifled a laugh and nodded. “Proceed.”

Sebastian poured a fresh cup of tea, adding just a small splash of milk. He nudged it toward her with a look that suggested he was offering her the Holy Grail.

“Taste.” He commanded.

She took a tentative sip, brows lifting in surprise as she considered the flavor, tea flowing over her palette.

“Alright.” She admitted, smile softening. “I suppose it’s… not terrible.”

Sebastian crossed his arms, lips quirking. “Not terrible? This is tea done right. It’s pure, simple, dignified - the way it was meant to be.”

She tilted her head, eyeing him with the faintest hint of a smile. “You know, I might just think you’re a little jealous, Sebastian.”

He blinked, taken aback. “Jealous? Of what, pray tell?”

“Of the wild, untamed American approach to tea.” She teased. “So fierce, so daring. Perhaps it’s just a bit much for a refined, sheltered lad like yourself.”

Sebastian huffed, though he couldn’t hide his smile.

“I’ll have you know, I’m perfectly capable of handling anything untamed.” He retorted, leaning in a little closer.

“But this…” He gestured to the now-neglected cup of raspberry tea at her side. “...os simply a line I can not cross.”

She leaned forward as well, her eyes bright. “Well, Mr. Sallow, if that’s the case, I look forward to crossing it every chance I get.”

He chuckled, shaking his head in mock resignation. “Then I suppose it’s my solemn duty to restore the dignity of tea every time you try.”

“It’s a deal, then." She replied, grinning.

“Then let’s make it a lesson.” He proposed, grinning. “Tomorrow, noon, in the courtyard. And bring no more American peculiarities.”

She chuckled, her gaze softening as she looked at him. “You’re on. I did come here to learn, after all.”

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thekinkpopstandsforkrackheads · 4 days ago

Note

Hi! Would you mind writing something about MC finally being able to cure Anne by the beginning of their 7th year and she starts avoiding and distancing herself from Sebastian after that, because she assumed he was still near her because of Anne's issue not because he actually had feelings for her? Thank you in advance and sorry if this makes you uncomfortable!

Thank you for this request, Anon!! Sorry it took so long to get to you - I hope it's what you wanted! And please don't apologize, I'm not uncomfortable at all. I'm honored you thought of me for your ask. 💕

Mistaken

Sebastian was having a very good day.

By the start of term in his final year at Hogwarts, he could honestly say that for the first time in his life, he didn't have a single care in the world.

He and MC had spent the better part of the past two years researching a cure for Anne, and as he'd expected, it came in the form of his companion's peculiar ancient magic. Just weeks before school picked back up again for seventh year, they'd managed to finally remove Anne's curse. It was a grueling task, but the effects were almost immediate.

Although Anne still decided to enroll in Beaxbatons, stating that she needed to remain away from Scotland a while longer, she'd forgiven Sebastian enough after they'd cured her without Dark Arts that she promised to write him letters and visit Feldcroft over the holidays.

Ominis, as well, had come around in sixth year to mend their friendship. He and Sebastian may have even become closer after having overcome the strain and tragedy they'd endured through fifth year.

And MC, devoted friend that she was, had never once wavered in her boundless loyalty to Sebastian. She'd stayed with him in Feldcroft the summer before sixth year, making sure he was cared for and patiently pulled him from his grief. Always tidying the little cottage, ensuring Sebastian ate, tending the garden, and rousing him from seemingly endless nightmares.

After weeks of allowing her to coddle him, he'd finally found the strength to stand on his own again and thanked her, telling her to go back to her own family home. While he could never express the full extent of his gratitude for her in words, he hoped to spend the rest of his life trying to deserve her friendship.

Still, she'd remained in Feldcroft anyway to keep him company the remainder of that summer - claiming it was because she would feel lonely if she left. He knew it was for his sake, however, but appreciated that she thought prudent to shield his ego. He truly did find comfort in her constant presence, and it had helped to ease the deafening silence left by both Anne and Solomon's absence.

Again, she stayed with him throughout the holidays during their sixth year and had even convinced Ominis to join them for their final summer off this time around. That was when they'd stumbled across the cure in an old tome while exploring the ruins of Isidora's house where Anne was originally cursed. Ominis had been the one to find the book, which was why Anne so readily agreed to let MC try in the first place.

Now, with Anne healthy and finally back to school in France, Sebastian felt like everything was at last as it should be.

He, Ominis, and MC had arrived back at Hogwarts together the previous night, MC heading to her own house for the feast to watch the sorting. Everything had been exceptional that evening, and Sebastian was finally, finally able to let loose with his housemates and enjoy just existing within the castle walls. He'd gone to sleep with a smile still plastered on his face and woke in much the same state.

Now, he was practically hauling Ominis to the Great Hall for breakfast and eager to start the day. More eager still to catch up with MC, whose endless presence he'd become spoiled by over the years.

"Sebastian, slow down this instant before I make you eat with the first years you're so intent on behaving like." Ominis groused, displeased with his best friend's inexplicable enthusiasm at such an unholy hour of the morning.

Unbothered, Sebastian simply grinned and ushered him along. "It's our final year at Hogwarts, Ominis. We must make the most of every second!"

"Does making the most of every second entail spending an extended period of time in the hospital wing? Because if you continue recklessly charging through the castle, that's where we'll both end up." Ominis retorted, earning nothing more than a barking laugh from Sebastian.

To his credit, Sebastian did slow down a bit on the stairs. However, the moment he saw a familiar streak of hair and the flash of her house robes, he released his grip on Ominis entirely and full-on sprinted to greet MC. It had only been a single night, but he'd missed her terribly.

When he waved and shouted her name across the hall, he expected to see her face light up brightly as it so often did when they saw each other at school. Instead, she looked like he kicked her baby mooncalf with the way her expression contorted into something akin to misery. It was only for a moment, but he distinctly saw her displeasure and slowed his steps, dropping his hand uncertainly to his side before carefully approaching.

"Ah, good morning, Sebastian. Sleep well?" She asked, trying to wrench a small smile onto her face.

After living together for two years, it was second nature by now for him to read her expressions. Still, it felt like a gut-punch that she might be unhappy to see him. Especially when he could think of no one else he'd rather be near.

"Of course I did - now that I don't have to listen to all your snoring." He said, trying to get a smile from her. When her face remained tight, he continued, concern growing. "Did you not, though? Has something happened? You seem a bit off-kilter."

Perhaps she really did just have a bad night's sleep? He couldn't think of anything he'd said or done to upset her in the time since they'd been laughing and joking yesterday. Everything had been normal when they'd said goodnight to each other. It couldn't be that she was displeased to see him.

"I - " She started but stopped almost immediately as she began and pressed a forced smile to her face again. "No, I suppose not. Perhaps tonight will be better."

Tension he hadn't realized he'd been holding eased itself from his shoulders at her admission - he could see the dark circles under her eyes. Of course, she was just tired. Knowing MC, she likely stayed up with her housemates catching up and playing games all night.

He approached and easily slid his arm across her shoulders and tugged her into him. "Breakfast ought to fix you up, darling. Come on, let's - "

Not that was odd - she noticeably stiffened under his touch and slipped out from under him, retreating a few paces.

Wearing an apologetic grimace, she said, "Sorry, Sebastian. I'm not really hungry this morning. You and Ominis go on ahead. I'll see you in class."

Not giving him a chance to reply, she skirted away from him and the rest of her friends, escaping quickly up the stairs and out of sight.

"That was certainly concerning. I don't believe that girl would miss a meal even if she were in a coma. Have you done something to offend our dear friend?" Ominis accused from beside him.

"Of course not." Sebastian said, scandalized. But then he recalled the way she recoiled from him and reconsidered, turning to Ominis in a panic. "Have I?"

Ominis simply offered an unhelpful shrug in response and mumbled something about apologizing to her, but for the life of him, Sebastian had no idea what he should apologize for.

Instead of chasing after her, he opted to give her space to cool off while he wracked his brains over breakfast, wondering just what he did to set off the one person who'd never been cross with him. Hell, she'd thanked him after he used Crucio on her. He could think of nothing worse he'd done to her - no great offense he could have possibly committed to warrant that kind of reaction. Still, she'd never lied to him before - perhaps she really was simply sleep-deprived.

Unfortunately, the rest of the week played out much the same. Every time Sebastian would approach her in the corridors or at meals, MC looked like she was physically pained by the mere sight of him and would make some half-assed excuse to scurry off. She avoided the Undercroft like the plague and declined all of his invitations to visit Hogsmeade in the evenings.

By the middle of the week, fed up with her avoidance, he'd gotten so desperate that he'd enchanted a note into a paper bird to dive bomb her in the Library until she opened it.

The message inside had been playful - a simple, 'I give you my explicit permission to hex me to your heart's content if I've offended you, love.'

Rather than a smile, a laugh, or even a hex, she'd hastily scribbled a note of her own and sent it back. The contents were curt. 'If you have time to hound me, perhaps you should concentrate harder on your studies.'

MC's stiff note solidified the fact that she was indeed very upset with him. Frustrated, Sebastian spent the better part of that particular evening blowing off steam in the Undercroft until the entire room was singed and smoking. Ominis made sure to scold him for the mess later on.

He couldn't help it, though. He'd always taken for granted that MC was a constant in his life. And now she was withdrawing from him - after everything. She meant the world to him, and he always thought she shared at least a similar sentiment She was, by far, the most cherished person in his life. He could accept if Ominis and Anne never forgave him and had been endlessly grateful when they had, but if MC left him? It was unthinkable.

Classes weren't much better. Where Sebastian and MC normally partnered up at any given opportunity, she now chose to sit at the opposite side of the room, with a decidedly different desk-mate in every single class. Natty in Charms, Garreth in Potions, and Poppy in Care of Magical Creatures. If she could feel his burning, sullen stare from across the room all day, she certainly gave no indication, instead looking perfectly unbothered while she laughed with her friends - friends who were not Sebastian.

That stung. Was she truly so angry with him? Had he offended her so greatly that she could feel so carefree while shoving him unceremoniously out of her life? There had been scarcely a day since they'd met that he could remember without her by his side, and now he felt like he was losing her for reasons entirely beyond him. He could hardly bear to be without her, and yet she had the audacity to laugh with her peers like her avoidance wasn't slowly killing him. And it was infuriating.

The final straw was when MC had the gall to pair up with Ominis at the end of the week in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Prewett of all fucking people was the partner Sebastian was left with. She may as well have spit in his face. His two best friends, cozying up in front of his face.

Ominis knew how distraught Sebastian had been throughout the whole ordeal - even knew the way he hid his deeper feelings for their friend over the years. He'd never dare risk asking more of her by expressing that well-hidden affection - not when she'd already given him so much, but Ominis understood the way it had been tormenting him to watch the girl he loved suddenly drift away. And there they were, partnering in front of him like his whole world wasn't crumbling.

Partners were lining up along the the room to review Disarming, and Sebastian stood gawking as he enviously watched MC and Ominis chatting while they squared up. Sebastian was sure MC would sooner chew her own arm off than speak with him all week, yet there she was, content as could be to pair up with his best friend.

Had the two been talking this whole time? They certainly didn't seem uncomfortable with each other. Ominis hadn't said anything, but he was always rather tight-lipped about his personal affairs. Could it have been something more? Something they couldn't tell him?

Sebastian couldn't help it - body moving on its own, he knocked his shoulder roughly against Ominis and took his place in front of MC, glaring between them all the while.

"Sebastian, what the hell - " Ominis stumbled slightly at the unexpected contact and complained.

"Prewett needs a partner. Figured you and MC looked far too carefree to take your dueling seriously." He glowered, fighting back the small remorse he felt for nearly toppling his poor friend. But when he heard MC start to protest he interrupted her loudly. "You two can go back to flirting after class for all I care. Right now we should concentrate on our studies, isn't that right?"

He spat the words at her and withdrew his wand. Angry with his friends and himself. Sebastian knew he was being petty - if she didn't want to speak with him, he very well couldn't force her. But the way she flinched and cast her gaze downward when he looked at her only served to fuel his exasperation, and he wanted nothing more than to grab her and make her look at him.

Ominis balked at the suggestion. "Flirt? Have you finally lost your mind, Sebastian?"

"Careful, Ominis." Sebastian warned, barely clinging to the last shred of his self-control.

"It's fine, Ominis. I'll be fine." MC said softly, and Ominis paused a moment longer before shaking his head and making his way to Leander.

Sebastian raised his wand and assumed a dueling stance, eyes flashing angrily up at MC when she meekly raised her own wand - still refusing to look at him.

"Unbelievable. At least look at me while we're dueling." He snapped.

Now she looked up, and he could see her eyes for the first time all week. Tired and red - she'd been crying. She looked on the verge of an outburst right then and there as well. Any other day he'd have dropped his wand and rushed to her side. Today, however? He wanted her to feel as bad as he did. It was cruel, of course, and he knew it. But he was far more wounded by her abandonment than he cared to admit.

"Expelliarmus!" He shot the spell the moment he met her gaze, relishing in the way her wand was violently ripped from her grasp and sent spiralling towards him.

Snatching it out of the air, Sebastian twirled her lost wand mockingly between his fingers, waiting for her to trek across the room the reclaim it.

She seemed to toy with the idea of abandoning her wand with him and simply bolting, if the way her eyes darted between him and the door was any indication, but ultimately trudged forward and planted her feet in front of him. A part of Sebastian that was far too childish to be seventeen decided at the last moment he wanted to bully her - just a bit more.

When she reached to take her wand back from his hand, he dropped it onto the floor and made no move to fetch it for her. He delighted in the annoyed huff she let out - it was the most reaction he'd gotten from her since they'd returned. Crossing his arms, he waited while she collected her wand and briskly turned to stalk back into position.

Again, the urge to rile her up overcame him, and he gripped her wrist firmly and tugged her back to him before she could retreat. She gasped.

Leaning down to whisper sharply in her ear he said, "Don't worry, I'll let your boyfriend partner with you from now on. Didn't realize your dueling had gone to such utter shit over the summer."

He could hear the audible snap of her teeth as she shut her mouth. If he wanted to push her over the edge, calling her ability into question seemed to have done the trick.

Aggressively ripping her arm back from him, she practically sprinted across from him and took on a far more intimidating stance than before. Gone was the meek girl who looked ready to flee in tears. This was the MC he knew in battle - a threat. This was who he wanted to see - the fierce witch who was unafraid to meet his gaze. Someone to match his own frustration.

Again, he wasted no time attacking her, but she was well-versed in battle and wouldn't be caught off guard twice. Shielding, she hurled her own spell back and he blocked it as well.

Then she followed up with a Stunning spell, and he narrowly deflected it.

"Disarming spells only, you two." Hecat's chided, but the warning fell on deaf ears.

Sebastian cast his own flurry of spells, smiling when he made her stumble to dodge a particularly nasty combination.

"Don't fall for me now, darling. Wouldn't want to put out poor Ominis when you've finally got him in your grasp." He teased.

"Bastard!" She snarled, furious.

Now she was crying, and Sebastian felt any urge to fight leave him instantly. His let his wand arm go slack to his side and was about to surrender when -

"Depulso!" MC knocked him clear into a desk, effectively silencing the entire room while Hecat rushed over to help him back to his feet.

"This is why I warned you that we were only practicing Disarming. Why is it always you two?" She tutted, grabbing Sebastian's chin to roughly turn his head into the light so she could inspect the lovely new gash across his forehead.

MC gasped as the stream of bright red streaked down his face, and rushed over as well.

"Gods, Sebastian, I - " She started, looking horrified. She reached out a hand to touch his face, but drew back quickly with a whimper.

"We'll discuss detention later. For now, take responsibility for your actions and bring Mister Sallow to the Hospital Wing." Hecat said sharply. "The rest of you can write me 10 inches of parchment on precisely why the use of Depulso is strictly forbidden in mock duels. You can thank your reckless classmates for that assignment when they return."

Sebastian, coming out of the daze the brutal knock-back had sent him into, heard a collective groan sound from their peers before he felt MC snake a delicate arm around his back, making him drape his own around her shoulders so that she could properly hoist him to his feet. Hecat hushed them all and waved her wand to set the room right.

"Easy now, Sebastian. Just lean against me if you feel dizzy, alright?" MC soothed, gingerly extracting herself from him when he seemed steady. She kept a firm hand wrapped around his arm, keeping a close eye on him as they walked out of the room.

Ringing in his ears subsiding, Sebastian came to his senses when they rounded a familiar corner of the castle. Rather than allow her to guide him to the Hospital Wing, Sebastian grabbed hold of the hand she still kept on him and wheeled them in the opposite direction. Ignoring her increasingly desperate protests, he wordlessly pulled her around the corner and through the opening in the old clock to drag her, at last, into the Undercroft she'd so stubbornly avoided all week.

"Sebastian! Really, you're worrying me. Are you confused? This isn't the Hospital Wing. You hit your head bad. Blainey should see to that." MC rambled worriedly, trying to redirect him back out of the room.

When they'd reached the makeshift seating arrangement comprised of old crates in the far corner, he finally stopped pulling her along and released her hand, taking a seat on one of the wooden boxes and gesturing for her to do the same.

"Just shut up for a moment and sit with me." He said quietly.

Obediently, she stopped speaking and sat next to him. Still, she imitated Hecat and grabbed him by the chin to tilt his face and prod at the wound. He allowed her to fuss, if only to enjoy being close to her again. The mild scent of her perfume soothed his earlier anger almost as much as the softness of her fingers against his face. He watched her nose scrunch up in displeasure and nearly laughed at how adorable she looked as she concentrated, biting at the side of her cheek.

Until she touched the cut, and he yelped while she let out a sympathetic hiss.

Drawing her wand, she wordlessly stitched the skin back together and wiped the trickle of drying blood from his face with her robe sleeve. His vision was obscured by the fabric while she worked to clean him, so he wasn't aware she was crying again until he heard the telltale sound of sniffling, and he pulled her arm away from his face to find her with an absolutely tortured look.

"Oh, stop that. I've given you much worse in our duels. Didn't even need Blainey for this, see? Just surprised me is all. That was an impressive Depulso." He said, offering a crooked smile.

That only made her cry harder, and he grunted when she hurled herself at him to crush him in a hug while she sobbed into his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Sebastian. I'm so sorry. I let my emotions get the better of me and I just - Gods if you didn't despise me already, I can't possibly blame you for doing so now."

It took him a moment, but he adjusted and wrapped his arms around her, smoothing out her hair and wondering just how they had gone from bitterly arguing to whatever this was.

"Despise you? Why? Because you're dating Ominis?"

She recoiled like he'd slapped her, but the look on her tear-stained face was almost amused.

"Ominis? And me? Whatever gave you an idea like that?" She laughed, wiping at her tears with the back of her hand before placing it back on his shoulder.

"Well you've been ignoring me all bloody week while you've cozied up to him quite nicely. After today, I figured that was why. Thought neither of you wanted to tell me." The words felt ridiculous even as they tumbled out of his mouth, but he hadn't come up with any other explanation for her odd behavior.

That sobered her immediately, and she grimaced, pulling back from him. The Undercroft felt quite cold then, and Sebastian wanted her arms back around his neck and her face buried in his shoulder. But her reaction spoke volumes regarding his suspicion, and when she failed to speak he filled the silence.

"I apologize for reacting the way I did to the news. I guess I just thought - " He stopped, debating his next words and choosing the option that was less likely to widen the rift between them. "I just thought we were all closer than that - keeping secrets from each other, you know?"

She looked up at him ruefully and said, "There's nothing like that between myself and Ominis."

"So then you're actually cross with me? Is that it?" He asked, flabbergasted. "Because it seems to me you've taken no issue with Ominis this past week, yet you won't even look at me."

"I'm not! You've done nothing to wrong me, Sebastian. Rather, I've been an exceptionally poor friend to you and I...simply needed some time to come to terms with it." He watched as she nervously played with the hem of her skirt, slowly working up the nerve to continue. "I sincerely apologize for making you think you were at fault for my actions. You're nothing short of wonderful to me. As always. It's a miracle you've put up with me as long as you have."

"It's not at all like you to be so self-pitying. Has someone slipped something into your pumpkin juice?" Sebastian asked jokingly, and she shook her head no.

He reached a hand out to brush a few stray hairs out of her face. Again, she pulled away from his touch and he let his arm fall to his lap, defeated.

They'd never been strangers to physical shows of affection - having lived and fought together so long, Sebastian thought of MC as an extension of his own being. He could always touch her with ease, never thinking twice. She'd been much the same, always ruffling his hair and falling asleep on his shoulder. Now there was an obvious disconnect - some invisible barrier that prevented him from accessing her. He didn't like it.

"Then what? I must confess, I'm not sure what I've done to earn this treatment from you. You say you're not angry, but..." He made a wide gesture to the space between them.

"It's nothing you've done. I swear to you. I'm angry with myself."

"I'm going to need more than that, MC. Come on, I can tell this week has been as rough on you as it has for me. Just tell me what's wrong. We can fix it. I don't like this anymore than you do."

"That's just it though, isn't it? I hate being apart from you, but it's just as miserable being near you. I can't stand it anymore, Sebastian. It's torture."

"It's - it's torture?" He gaped, mind reeling. She found simply being in his presence torture? Had he simply imagined their closeness all this time?

"Yes! Do you have any idea how excruciating it is to be so hopelessly in love with your best friend when nothing can ever come of it? Gods, I hate myself every day for wishing you to give more of yourself to me than you already have, and yet I can't stand the thought of having anything less." Chest heaving, she threw all caution to the wind and simply blurted it out.

Sebastian went completely still, processing, but she charged forward, unable to stop the words once they'd already begun tumbling out. It was now or never, it seemed.

"I thought I could manage it - just for one more school year. But Violet had to go and open her damn mouth and spoil everything the moment we returned." She said, hysterical, and buried her face in her hands. "Told me how laughable it was that I was still trailing after you like a niffler after treasure even though you were certainly only keeping me around long enough to cure Anne. That you'd want to be rid of me now that I'd played my part."

"Violet McDowell caused this outburst?" He asked, brain slowly catching up with the gravity of it all.

"I've just poured my heart out to you, and you focus on Violet?" She peeked out at him from between her fingers, appalled.

"I'm simply trying to discern whether or not I now owe that vile girl a favor even after she's made you cry." Sebastian said thoughtfully, reaching over to take hold of her hands. She tried to pull back, but he gripped tight.

"A favor?"

Watching her wail as she was, Sebastian thought it might be in poor taste to laugh at that exact moment. If only she knew how absurd she was being. He couldn't restrain the low chuckle that slipped out, however.

"Yes, a favor you silly thing. Do you even hear yourself? Keeping you around until you've played your part. Ridiculous. I'd be incredibly offended if you hadn't just admitted you love me despite thinking so poorly of me." He said, now actually laughing at her.

Looking positively mortified, MC paled considerably.

"I've really ruined it all, haven't I? Our friendship, I mean. I can Obliviate you? Have Ominis do me as well. We can pretend this whole ordeal never happened and go back to the way things were before." She stared up at him, pleading.

"Why? So I can torture you again?" In a single fluid motion, he slipped one of his hands from hers to press beside her head, against the crate she was leaning on. "Especially not when I can finally do this."

Before she could even open her mouth to question him, his mouth was on hers, swallowing her surprised gasp. His lips curled into a smile when he felt her fingers lace between his, and he slid his other hand from the crate and combed it through her hair to rest at the base of her neck.

He waited patiently for her to adjust and allowed her to choose their pace, pleased when she chose to deepen their kiss by fisting her free hand into the front of his robes and tugging him into her further.

The taste of her mingled with the remnants of blood still on his mouth, and her sweet perfume combined with the faint, lingering smokey scent from his outburst in the room earlier that week. Her hands and lips felt impossibly good, and he wasn't sure if he was delirious from hitting his head or from how surreal it was to finally be touching her in ways he'd only dared to dream of.

When they were both panting messes of tangled hair and disheveled robes, Sebastian leaned back to press his forehead against hers, immensely proud of the state he'd put her in. Unwilling to stop touching her entirely, but needing to catch his breath, he opted to litter her flushed cheeks and neck with playful array of kisses until she swatted him away, laughing.

"Do you have any idea how long I've wanted to do that?" He asked, still breathless and grinning like an idiot.

"So why didn't you?" She asked, trying to steady her own rapid breathing.

"Why didn't you?" He quipped, cocking an eyebrow.

"Fair point. I suppose this means Violet was mistaken." She asked, flushing brighter.

"Afraid so. And here I thought I was the lovesick fool. Ominis is always telling me as much." He chuckled.

"Ominis told you that? Ominis told me I ought to just confess to you outright. Said it was simply nauseating the way he could feel me pining after you." She laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. "He was trying to convince me to grow a backbone in class today. Almost had me convinced until you barged in."

"It would appear I've made a bit of ass of myself today." He smiled, amused. "And for the record, so there's no more doubt in that pretty little head of yours - I love you. Have for a while now."

He held her gaze when he said it, and the way he spoke was so genuine that she forgot how to breath for a moment.

"So Ominis has known - this entire time? And he's had to watch us flounder about?"

"It would appear so. Don't worry - I know just the way to repay him for his patience."

"Are you finally going to assist me in convincing him to court Anne?" She asked slyly.

Sebastian looked downright mischevious when he said. "Well, he certainly understands the pain of watching a couple of fools pine after each other. What say we give those two a bit if a nudge?"

MC grinned and made to stand. "I'll write Anne as soon as I get back to my room."

Sebastian tugged her back down into his lap, grin widening and making her blush furiously. "Awfully presumptuous of you to assume I'm letting you go back to your room."

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