Cursed

Chapter 9

The season was slowly changing, making way for hot cocoa, red noses, and cold fingers tucked in mittens. Students wore their house scarf wrapped around their necks. The first snowfall had not happened yet, but that did not stop the world from taking a frosty white color every morning that disappeared throughout the day.

Juniper and Sebastian's friendship was still filled with uncomfortable tension. Even after the announcement that the deranged witch was sent to Azkaban for illegal use of Ministry's funds and third-party sexual assaults on both adults and minors, they had a hard time going back to the way things were. They and Ominis were seen regularly hanging about in the Slytherin common rooms together. It was easy for the two to be friends in public. Sebastian had warmed up to Gareth thanks to his support since the incident, making the trio the occasional quartet. Juniper, as per Ominis' advice and persistent request, temporarily abandoned the hunt for answers and ancient magic deposits. She promised herself that as soon as the weather warmed up, she would begin again. That, however, did nothing to stop the nightmares from haunting her. Some became more vivid, while others were as vague as a blank sheet of paper. She held on to those with great hope.

Professor Black had been called away for a family emergency, and he left Professor Weasley as stand in Headmaster in his absence. The entire castle was a much happier place during that period of time, and to everyone's luck, it was during the holiday season. Professor Weasley was in such good spirits that not only did she tend to much needed issues that Professor Black was too lazy to handle, but she also made the holidays extra festive by letting the students take a vote on how to make this time as memorable as possible.

"I think she should reinstate quidditch. That would definitely be the most memorable thing that could happen." Sebastian said, lounging on one of the common room's love seats, taking up both sitting spaces.

"Just for Black to ban it again? It hardly seems like the kind of memorable Professor Weasley is going for," Ominis replied, sitting across from him with his leg crossed over the other while sipping some tea, the embodiment of aristocracy.

Juniper sat on the floor against Ominis' chair since there was no room on the loveseat and the other seats were taken. "Have you two heard of the ball-like dance party? I know that for many of the girls, it's their top vote."

"So, like the Yule Ball? Seems inappropriate given the reasons tied to it and the fact that we are not hosting the Triwizard Tournament." Sebatian was not eager to wear a suit and dance and made it known every chance he got.

"Doesn't have to be the Yule Ball, you git, just a ball with a Yule theme." Juniper, who was eager to have a reason to wear a pretty dress, contradicted Sebastian's disdain every time he made it known around her.

Ominis, who couldn't care what he or anyone else was wearing as long as it wasn't boring, sided with Juniper. "It's not a bad idea," he reasoned. "Music, food, ladies..." He covertly gestured to Juniper only within Sebastian's line of view.

"I didn't know you were seeking female attentions, Ominis."

"I don't have to seek. They find me. But our lonesome friend Sebastian could you some prying from his lonesome shell, and I think dancing is just what he needs."

"Bugger off you two." Sebastian turned his head away, concealing his flushed cheeks while the other two chuckled.

"Are you three deciding what to vote on?" Imelda Reyes chimed in in her usual bossy attitude. "I think she should bring quidditch back. That'll be the event of the century."

"Exactly as I said!" Sebastian turned to a sitting position; his long legs stretched out in front of him.

Imelda gave a little "humph" in positive acknowledgment to Sebastian before whipping around back the way she came, her ponytail swaying dramatically.

"Maybe she could be your dance partner, Seb."

"June, I would rather quidditch be banned forever than ask her to be my partner for anything."

She giggled. No matter how lonesome Sebastian may be, he still had some standards he adhered to.

The time for a vote came, and the counting was held in the great hall. Hundreds of ballets containing creative ideas were voiced out and voted on, and depending on popularity would remain in the running for the top two winners. Everything from balls to quidditch, from chocolate parties to magical zoos, from duels to festivals, was submitted and slowly weeded out until the final two came to be. And to no one's surprise, the deciding winner was between Quidditch and a ball.

"I will give one day for you to make up your minds on which of two should you cast your vote on. And remember, this is a festive event. No ill behaviors will be tolerated." Professor Weasley smiled ear to ear, watching the eager students huddle as their excited voices echoed off the stone walls.

The following day was filled with anticipation and excitement with little attention given to any class. Students constantly debating and convincing their opinions to others in every common room, hallway, classroom, anywhere anyone was available.

"Seb, reason. Bringing quidditch back will only bring more disappointment. Remember last time it was unbanned?" Juniper explained, dramatically moving her hands as the trio walked from Potions to the Library. "It wasn't even a week before he banned it again. He probably did it on purpose, too, to inflict as much pain as possible."

"I like your tactic, June. Explain why his decision is wrong rather than convince him of your own."

"Not helping, Ominis." She said through gritted teeth.

Sebastian laughed at his friends' interaction, happy that they could have fun like this again when Gareth wrapped an arm around him and Juniper, being careful as to not touch Ominis.

"Have you made up your minds yet?" Gareth said in a cheery tone. Sebastian tensed up under him, still not comfortable with physical contact.

Juniper took both of Gareth's arms in a waltz position, spinning slowly in the opposite direction. "Why? Are you looking for a dance partner, carrot top? I might be able to squeeze you in on my dance card."

"Not to worry, my dear shrub, you would be the last person I would ask." He chuckled, feeling rather please with his creative nickname for her, Juniper simply rolled her eyes. "Besides, my vote is on Quidditch."

Juniper smirked. "You must be used to disappointment."

"June, if you don't hurry up, we're leaving you behind!" Sebastian yelled at the couple who were several meters away and just out of ear shot.

"Jealous, much?" Ominis jabbed.

"Shut up. I just don't like that he took her away when it was obvious, we were busy."

"Was it? And from what I could hear, she took him."

Juniper trotted back to them, leaving Gareth behind.

"What did he want?" Sebastian tried to ask casually but failed, sounding more suspicious than anything.

"Nothing." She answered dismissively.

Sebatian tensed his jaw. "You were with him an awful long while just for nothing."

Juniper grew irritated with his prodding but said nothing as they reached the library. The two sat down at a table in one of the corners away from view as Ominis walked around, asking random students for book recommendations and then judging them for their choice in reading.

"It's not like you to lie... unless that is a trait of the new Juniper Windward."

She slowly turned her head to him in disbelief. "The new me? What in Merlin's name are you going on about?"

He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "The new you is the you that ignores adventure, ignores her friends. The you that wants to be all pretty and dance as an excuse to be held by multiple guys -"

SMACK!

Sebastian went cold, unsure of what exactly happened. Juniper had reached over and slapped him straight across the face so hard that her finger marks were imprinted on his left cheek.

"I guess the new me does not tolerate when her so-called friend can't articulate his emotions to have a proper conversation and instead is rude and childish." She hissed and promptly walked away.