Sebastian POV
The next morning, sleep-deprived and burdened by regret, I make my way straight to y/n's dormitory to speak with her. The argument from last night replays relentlessly in my mind—I can't believe how foolish I was.
I left Ominis and Samantha still in bed, I'm very grateful for his friendship, we had spent the night sharing stories from our early years at Hogwarts and bringing Samantha up to speed on everything that's been happening. The poor girl has no idea what she's getting herself into, but she seems eager to help.
I knock on y/n's door and anxiously await her response. "Sebastian... What are you doing here?" she asks, her confusion evident.
"I want to apologise. Can I come in?" I ask, hoping she'll grant me entry. With hesitation, she opens the door and gestures for me to enter. Stepping into the middle of her room, I take a deep breath, ready to make amends.
I reach out to hold both of y/n's hands, pulling her close to me. "y/n, I am so sorry for everything. I should have visited you more in the hospital," tears well up in my eyes as I continue, "I shouldn't have let my obsession with finding a cure consume me again." I lock eyes with her, but then lower my head in shame.
There's a moment of pause before she gently frees herself from my grasp, placing her hands on my face and wiping away my tears. "I forgive you," she whispers kindly, offering a small smile.
"You do?" I ask, slightly confused yet immensely relieved.
"Yes. A wise friend once told me that emotions can overpower us, causing us to say things we don't truly mean," she explains softly.
"I love you so much," I whisper, and in response, she leans in, our lips meeting in a passionate kiss. As she pulls away, she whispers, "I love you too, Sallow." Before I can even smile at her, I feel the sting of her hand striking my cheek.
"What the bloody hell was that for?" I exclaim, bewildered, as I hold the side of my face where y/n just slapped me.
"That's for telling me that I don't care and for blaming me for not having a cure," she says, laughter escaping her lips.
"I deserved that," I chuckle nervously, desperately attempting to hide the pain she just inflicted upon me. We both laughed for a moment before letting it subside back into an awkward tension, I start rubbing the back of my neck, making it evident that the silence is making me uncomfortable.
talking about how we missed our first game while we were in the hospital," y/n finally speaks up, settling herself onto her bed and taking a seat.
"Absolutely! I'd love to join. Should I go and gather the others?" I respond, my voice brimming with excitement at the prospect of spending time together. As I make my way towards the door, y/n stops me in my tracks.
"Where are you going?" she asks, her curiosity evident.
"I, erm... I wasn't sure if you wanted some time alone," I confess, unsure of her intentions. Y/n looks at me, a puzzled expression on her face, before patting the space next to her on the bed, inviting me to join.
"We still have the whole morning ahead of us. I thought maybe we could spend it together in bed?" she suggests playfully, flashing a mischievous smile. With a raised eyebrow, I find myself slightly taken aback by her forward offer. However, I gather my composure and make my way over to her. I settle myself next to her on the bed, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her into a warm embrace.
We lie there in comfortable silence for some time. I watch as y/n engrosses herself in a book about advanced potions, gently intertwining my fingers in her hair. Planting small, affectionate kisses on her head, she eventually closes her book and turns to face me, her eyes locking onto mine.
I push a strand of hair out of her face and gently grab her chin, lifting her face up before carefully going in for a kiss. She eases herself into me as we share a loving tender exchange, I can feel a sense of lust and heat rising within me as the kiss intensifies. I feel y/n pull on the back of my hair and within moments she straddles herself over me, rocking her hips back and fourth.
I let out small moans as she pinches at my neck, making her way down to my waist. She had full control of the situation and I wasn't going to let that slide, so I flipped her onto her back and climbed on top of her. We let our tongues dance around each other before I pull off her top and throw it across the room, I begin planting kisses on her chest, making my way down her stomach slowly, the sounds of her moans are like music to my ears. I flash my teeth at her when I get to her underwear before pulling them down.
I spread her legs and place my head between them, lightly brushing my tongue over her clit, just as I am about to push my fingers inside her entrance, she shoots up from a lying position.
"Sebastian, I-I'm sorry... I can't do this, I'm not ready" she lets out quietly, a shakiness to her breath. I look up at her to see tears forming in her eyes, I pull away instantly making sure her underwear is back on "it's okay my love, I understand, I'm sorry" I reply calmly, I quickly rush over to the other side of the room to gather her top and pass it to her.
"There's no need to be sorry, y/n," I interject, kneeling before her at her bedside, my hand gently stroking her leg to offer comfort.
"Could we maybe just carry on reading?" she whispers, her head bowing in shame.
"Of course," I smile reassuringly, reaching for her favorite romance novel on the nightstand and passing it to her. I lie back on the bed, and she positions herself between my legs. With the book in hand, we spend the rest of the morning reading, enjoying each other's company in peaceful tranquility.
***
Ominis POV
As the stadium filled with enthusiastic students, the anticipation for the Slytherin quidditch game against Gryffindor was palpable. Samantha and I arrived early, determined to secure a prime seat to catch all the action.
As we made our way through the buzzing crowd, the atmosphere was electric. Excited chatter and laughter echoed throughout the stands, and the colours of the two rival houses were proudly displayed on banners and flags waving in the air. The stadium itself was an impressive sight, with towering stands that provided an excellent view of the quidditch pitch.
We managed to find a cluster of seats with a great view, ironic really because I can't actually see. Samantha was describing everything around us to ensure that I got to experience as much as I could, just as we take our seats Samantha shoots up out of her chair.
"Guys, over here!" She shouted over the crowd, waving over at y/n, Sebastian and Theo to come and join us.
"Sorry we're late, Theo couldn't find his coat so we had to run back to Sebastians dorm to grab him one" y/n says, breathing heavily she sounded like she was out of breath.
"You're just in time, it's about to start!" Samantha replied joyfully.
The referee blew the whistle, signaling the start of the game, and the crowd erupted in cheers. The quaffle was released, and the match began in a flurry of fast-paced action. We cheered alongside our fellow students, our eyes fixated on the players soaring through the sky, executing impressive maneuvers and showcasing their skill.
The game was intense, with both teams displaying exceptional agility, strategy, and teamwork. We gasped and shouted as the players engaged in thrilling chases, passes, and daring dives. The stadium roared with applause whenever a player scored a goal, regardless of which house they belonged to.
Throughout the match, Samantha and I found ourselves caught up in the exhilarating atmosphere. We jumped to our feet, cheering and shouting words of encouragement, particularly when the Slytherin team made a remarkable play. The passion and camaraderie among the students were infectious, creating a sense of unity and shared excitement.
As the game reached its midpoint, y/n's attention was drawn to Sebastian, engrossed in a book instead of enjoying the lively atmosphere around us. I could sense the tension building as y/n grew increasingly frustrated.
"Sebastian, put the book down," she uttered with a mixture of harshness and bluntness.
In response, Sebastian grunted back, dismissing her concerns, stating that he had seen it all before and emphasising Slytherin's commanding lead. He rolled his eyes and returned to his reading, seemingly unaffected by y/n's disappointment.
"This was supposed to be our time together..." y/n's voice trailed off, her disappointment evident.
Sebastian snapped "y/n, enough", he commanded her to stop.
Feeling exasperated by their argument, I interjected, attempting to bring peace to the situation. "Guys, come on this is meant to be a fun and new experience for y/n and Theo, stop fighting", honestly the lack of patience I have for those two arguing, I've dealt with it regularly since I've known them and it was beginning to wear me down.
Y/n stood up "Don't worry Ominis, I was just leaving", clearly angered, she decided to leave abruptly, expressing her apologies in a subdued whisper as she vanished into the bustling crowd. Theo and Samantha exchanged worried glances, but I quickly intervened, preventing Theo from rushing after her. I placed my arm across his body "give her a minute, the game will be over shortly, we can all go and find her then".
Reluctantly, Theo settled back into his seat, his concern evident on his face. In contrast, Sebastian remained unfazed, his focus unwaveringly fixed on his book. I couldn't help but feel frustrated by his lack of empathy and awareness of the situation.
Turning to Sebastian, I spoke softly "come on mate, now's not the time". He let out a sigh, seemingly begrudgingly, and closed his book, placing it back in his bag.
"Imelda Reyes catches the golden Snitch, Slytherin win the game!" The announcer declares over the tannoys throughout the stadium, the Slytherin area erupts with joy and support as the players do a victory lap of the stands. We quickly gathered our things and headed out in an attempt to beat the crowds.
***
Y/N POV
As I stood outside the stadium grounds, attempting to compose myself after the emotional turmoil, I reached into my pocket and discovered the packet of cigarettes that Theo and I had shared the previous night. Feeling a mixture of guilt and relief, I took one out and lit it, craving a momentary respite from the weight on my mind.
Leaning against a pillar at one of the quidditch stadium entrances, I listened to the distant sounds of the crowd cheering over Slytherin's victory. The smoke curled and dissipated into the air as I sought solace in the brief tranquility.
Suddenly, an all too familiar and irritating voice pierced through my thoughts. "If it isn't the infamous y/n," the voice called out. I turned towards the entrance to find Imelda walking in my direction. I inwardly sighed, not wanting any additional stress at that moment.
"Hello Imelda, I believe congratulations are in order," I replied politely, choosing to address the obvious and avoid any unnecessary small talk.
"Thanks! I'm surprised you didn't try out for the team this year. With your broom skills, we could have used a decent chaser," she remarked, causing my eyes to widen in surprise at her unexpected compliment.
"I, erm, never really thought about it, to be honest... I've had a lot on my plate this year," I responded, feeling a nervous chuckle escape my lips. I knew that the events of the past year and the rumors surrounding my hospitalisation had circulated among the students.
"Explains why you look like shit," Imelda laughed, prompting me to shoot her a warning look. She quickly raised her hands in a gesture of innocence. "Just kidding," she added, lightening the tension. "We're having a party in the common room tonight. You should join us," she offered, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"Yeah, maybe... I'll let you know. Thanks," I replied simply, acknowledging her invitation. She nodded in understanding before rejoining her team and continuing on her way.
As I turned around, I was delighted to see Samantha, Theo, Ominis, and Sebastian rushing towards me. I smiled at them and walking towards the group.
"Are you alright?" Samantha whispered, her concern evident. I nodded and mouthed a thank you to her, appreciating her understanding and support before the others could catch up.
Sebastian, his brows furrowed, spoke up "what did Imelda want?". I casually shrugged my shoulders in response. "She invited us to a party in our common room tonight," I replied, leaving the decision up to the group.
"We're going, right?" Theo chimed in with enthusiasm, still basking in the excitement of his first quidditch game. The rest of us exchanged glances and shrugged in agreement, deciding to attend the party.
"I'm not sure I have anything suitable to wear," I laughed nervously, feeling unprepared.
"I have something that would look amazing on you!" Samantha exclaimed with excitement. "We can go to my dorm and get ready later if you'd like?" she offered.
"Okay, yeah, I'd like that!" I replied gratefully, relieved to have Samantha's help and some well earned girl time away from the boys.
Sebastian, however, had different plans. "I actually have a new lead on a cure for Anne, so I'm going to head to the library and I'll meet you guys there later," he announced. I glanced over at Ominis, realising my concerned expression was unnecessary since he couldn't actually see it.
"I'm coming with you," I stated firmly, not wanting Sebastian to tackle the research alone. "Two heads might be better than one," I added, offering my support. Sebastian smiled, taking my hand, and we all began making our way back to the castle.
***
Sebastian POV
We settled down in the library, enjoying the unusual quietness that accompanied the weekend. With fewer distractions, we hoped to delve into our research without interruption.
"So, what are we looking at?" Y/n asked, placing her bag on the table, ready to dive into the task at hand.
"An incantation. Apparently, some curses can be reversed with a specific spell, but..." I paused, my voice trailing off.
"But you don't know which one," Y/n finished my sentence, recognising the challenge we faced.
"Right," I responded simply, a tinge of frustration seeping into my tone.
As the hours passed, our search for healing-related books proved to be arduous. Restlessness and impatience began to take hold of me, causing me to glance up from my reading. Y/n, on the other hand, was engrossed in doodling on a piece of parchment.
"That doesn't look like research," I remarked bluntly, my annoyance evident in my voice.
Y/n let out a sigh, resting her head on her hand. "I'm taking a break. We've been here for hours," she explained, the weariness in her voice reflecting the toll our efforts had taken.
"If you're not going to help, then just leave," I snapped, my frustration getting the better of me. Deep down, I loved Y/n dearly, but in these moments, it felt as if she didn't fully grasp the gravity of the situation or care as much as I did. Every action she took that didn't directly contribute to finding a solution for Anne only served to further irritate me.
Tension hung heavily in the air as I impatiently awaited Y/n's response. I watched as she hesitated, her lips parting as if about to speak, only to close them again and divert her attention back to a book.
"Go on, say what you were going to say," I snapped once more, my impatience getting the best of me.
"You know what, Sebastian? I'm tired of you taking out your frustrations on me. I don't see anyone else sacrificing their weekend to help you," she retorted, her voice laced with exasperation.
"But you're not helping, that's the thing. You—"
"What, Sebastian? I don't care?" She finally snapped, her voice filled with frustration. "Fine, do this on your own." Without giving me a chance to respond, she grabbed her bag from the table and stormed out of the library in a fit of anger.
I scoffed in response to her departure, momentarily dismissing her actions as I continued my frantic search for answers. However, deep down, I couldn't ignore the pang of hurt and realisation that my our lack of eye to eye was driving a wedge between us.
***
Y/N POV
Anger propelled me through the corridors of the castle as I swiftly dropped off my belongings in my dormitory. With a quick rummage through my trunk, I retrieved a bottle of fire whiskey I had stashed away, realising that I had never needed a drink more than in that moment. Determined to drown my frustrations, I made my way to Samantha's room to get ready for the party.
I knocked on the door, and Samantha answered with excitement evident on her face. "Ah, Y/n! I didn't think you were going to make it," she exclaimed, giving me a warm hug before ushering me inside.
"Sorry, I got caught up in the library with Seb," I quickly responded, anticipating Samantha's raised eyebrow and the implication it carried. "Not like that, I wish though... It was quite the opposite, actually," I sighed, sinking onto her bed. I unscrewed the top of the bottle and took a long swig, offering it to Samantha, who eagerly accepted.
"Again? Y/n, you shouldn't have to put up with that," she sighed, taking a big sip of the whiskey. I shook my head and chuckled as she hiccuped afterward.
"I know. It's starting to wear me down, honestly, but I'm not sure what else I can do," I admitted, a sense of defeat lacing my words. I threw myself back on the bed, my hands resting on either side of my head.
"You can get yourself dressed up and have some fun!" Samantha chuckled, handing me a gorgeous little black dress. I sat up, joining in on the laughter. "This would look so good on you, though," I confessed, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of guilt for wearing something so nice, especially when it would look incredible on her.
"Don't be silly, it's your night to have fun. Besides, Ominis can't see what I'm wearing anyway," Samantha blurted out, a look of shock washing over her face as she realised what she had just said. I stared at her wide-eyed before bursting into uncontrollable laughter.
"Samantha Dale, I did not expect that from you," I mockingly gasped, feigning surprise with my mouth wide open. I wiped away a tear of joy that had formed under my eye. Samantha shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly and continued drinking from the bottle, reveling in the carefree atmosphere.
She skillfully helped me get ready, curling my hair into loose waves and applying subtle eyeliner and eyeshadow, finishing it off with a clear, glittery lip gloss. As I admired myself in the mirror, Samantha's words filled the room.
"If he doesn't instantly drop everything he's doing to whisk you off to his room after seeing you, then that boy has problems," she remarked, her eyes sparkling with delight at the transformation she had achieved.
"We can only hope," I replied with a laugh, a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation coursing through me.
We continued to drink and dance to music in Samantha's room, enjoying the pre-party atmosphere. Our plan was to arrive fashionably late, not wanting to appear too eager. Besides, I needed to be a bit tipsy before I even considered crossing paths with Sebastian again. The alcohol helped me muster the courage to face him, even if it was just for one night of escapism.