Chapter Text
The teenage witch sat comfortably on the castle’s stone railing, her feet dangling high above Hogwarts Lake. The afternoon sun was shining brightly, lighting up the girl's face and making her eyes shine. It was another warm day and even her simple white button-down shirt with a loose green tie felt like too much clothing for this day - she didn’t even have her robe on. After all, it was the last day of the school year - the dress code will be forgotten for these two months.
The witch closed her eyes and took a deep breath, enjoying the smell of the lake, the old castle’s walls, and the smell of the grass warmed by the sun. The place was homely now - she grew fond of it after her crazy first year. Starting as a fifth year was not easy, especially with all that had happened. She fought battles she’d never imagined, escaped death way too many times, learned something she may have shouldn't have, and… lost some important people. Sitting idly, kicking her feet while watching the students leave the castle for the summer break seemed inopportune. She had no errands to run, no danger from Ranrok or Rookwood... She knew she should be enjoying the longed tranquility, however, the moment she started her adventure, the fast pace was something she got used to. Slowing down after a year of running and fighting seemed unnatural and uncertain. More than once she felt stressed this school year, but the stress helped her to keep on going forward. The recent anxious feeling was something different. It felt like she was on an edge, but her bones felt like lead. It was as if she was waiting for something to happen, cautious of the dangers that were nowhere to be seen.
“Staying for the summer break, I presume?” Her vision blurred with how quickly she turned around. Startled by the sudden presence, she almost slipped and fell down from the bridge’s railing;
“Sebastian!” She shouted as soon as she saw that annoying smirk and brown eyes shining playfully at her “Are you daft?! I could’ve fallen!” She put her hand up as if she was ready to hit him and Sebastian quickly raised his hands in defense;
“Hey, I was prepared to cast Leviosa if that had happened!” He twirled his wand in his hand proudly. The girl rolled her eyes and muttered;
“Somehow, this doesn’t make me feel better”
Sebastian carefully sat down on the railing next to her. His robe was also gone - seeing him wearing only a white shirt and an unbuttoned vest was surprising. But not an unwelcome sight. The top of his button was opened too… The witch shook her head, to clear her head, the hot weather must be getting to her. She cleared her throat;
“The Headmaster let me stay during the summer holiday and said that I’m not allowed to use magic without any adult supervision,” She started picking on her nails “Apparently it’s considered hazardous,” She exclaimed and in frustration threw her hands up. The sky was slowly becoming pink and orange. “I just learned that I’m able to wield magic and now I’m not permitted to use it,”
“As if something forbidden has stopped us before…” Sebastian nudged her shoulder, trying to be playful but there was a weight to his words that soured her mood even more. She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. They sat for a short time in silence, but it soon felt like too much, so the witch turned her head to face Sebastian;
“When are you leaving?” It was getting late and fewer and fewer students left the castle grounds. Sebastian moved his own gaze from the wonderful view surrounding them, to look at the girl. His serious face broke in a matter of seconds, the usual smirk was back and he winked;
“Well, I can’t leave you unsupervised now, can I?” Sebastian shrugged nonchalantly as her eyes grew bigger. “Someone has to make sure you’re not using magic during these two months.”
“You’re staying?” She opened her mouth in a clear surprise. Sebastian nodded but his eyes darkened suddenly, making her hold her breath;
“Usually, I would go back to Anne and my uncle’s house, but… well,” the sigh he let out was heavy and dreadful. His eyes turned blank as if deep in thought. She said nothing, waiting for Sebastian to continue. He had this look on his face, one that she could only identify as… guilt. Finally, after a few long seconds, Sebastian spoke again, not meeting her eyes “I want to give Anne more time and space. I don’t think she wants to see me,”
“Soon, Sebastian” The witch put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently, trying to comfort her best friend, “It’s going to be soon,”
“I hope so,” he muttered and bit his lower lip hard, maybe as a way to keep himself from saying something more. She patted him on the back a few times, unsure whether he’d like a hug or no contact at all.
Suddenly he startled her again this afternoon, when his voice boomed loudly, and the tone completely changed to a cheerful one; “So, I guess you won’t be able to catch a break from me!” he grinned “There are places to see, secrets to uncover!” he pointed at the views below them as if presenting the whole world to her “This place is full of opportunities!”
The girl put her hand down and shook her head, trying to catch up with the change. Sebastian's smile was genuine and contagious, so she didn't fight it and was grateful for the lighter mood.
“Good thing you’re staying and making sure I won’t cause any trouble,” this time, she smirked playfully “I guess my job is to keep you out of trouble?”
“Please, trouble is our second name!” Sebastian put a hand on his chest, clearly pleased with the reputation they created for themselves “Also, it’s Ominis' job to keep us out of trouble.”
Sebastian, Omnis, and she - the popular Slytherin trio. The professors always look suspiciously in their direction as they walk the halls, muttering about them being an unstoppable force to reckon with that needs way more observation. Omnis didn’t care for it, but Sebastian and she took the given reputation with open hands and went with it - making Omnis shake his head in playful dismay.
“We’ll just have to find a way to use a little bit of magic. Here and there,” Sebastian added in a hushed tone
“A little bit of magic?” She chuckled,
“A tiny bit, here and there-” he squirmed when her finger jabbed him in the ribs “Hey! Stop-”
“I can’t risk being expelled, I’ve been here only for a year!” She continued to poke him while avoiding getting slapped by his hands. Their laughter mixed with screaming could be heard from the other side of the castle.
“Okay, okay! No magic!” Sebastian shifted a safe distance away in escape from the assault, and wiped his damp eyes “Unless it’s necessary!” he added. The witch narrowed her eyes and looked up in thought,
“All right, only when it’s truly necessary” she agreed “However I would appreciate not getting expelled,” she pointed an accusatory finger in his direction “-or not to start our sixth year with a minus hundred points to our house,”
“Oh, we can’t let those Gryffons, Puffs, and Claws have this kind of advantage.” He nodded and chuckled.
They watched as the sun began to hide behind tall mountains and a cool breeze felt refreshing on their skin. Then, Sebastian turned around and got off the stone railing. The young witch raised an eyebrow in question as he outstretched his hand in an offer to help her down. She complied and with a slight blush on her cheeks put her hand on his warm palm, then raised her legs above the railing and gracefully slid down next to Sebastian.
“Are we going somewhere?” She dusted the dirt from her skirt.
“Yes,” He grinned ominously “Hear me out,” he clasped his hands together in clear excitement “I saw you in Honeydukes,” his grin got wider as the girl felt sudden dread in her stomach “Seeing how many sweets you were able to eat there I came to the conclusion that someone has a big sweet tooth-”
“Sebastian!” she punched his chest with an outstretched palm while blushing profusely in embarrassment “Shut your gob! What’s this about?!”
“Ouch,” He took a step back and massaged the punched muscle “And here I was, trying to invite you to the Great Hall…” He shook his head in fake disappointment “I’ve heard there’s a sweet buffet today…” Sebastian watched as her eyes sharpen and her shoulder sag down in a quick defeat;
“It’d be a shame not to go and grab something…” she muttered,
“Ha, I knew it!” Sebastian threw his fist up as a sign of victory and both of them made their way to the Great Hall. “Did I mention that Ominis is staying as well?” Sebastian’s long legs carried him quickly through the empty castle walls, making the young witch quicken her own footsteps to keep up,
“He is?”
“He’s not keen on staying two months with his family,” knowing Ominis' history, the young witch nodded in an understatement, “Usually he’d stay with us in Fieldcroft, but now… Hm, I guess he doesn’t want to impose on Anne.”
“Where’s Ominis now?” She asked jumping out of the way of two ghosts having a sword fight. She was aware it was impossible to get stabbed or even touched by the ghost, but her reaction was automatic.
“He told me he needed to speak with the Headmaster,” Sebastian answered and they approached the doors leading to the Great Hall, “Ladies first,” He held the door open as the young witch entered the huge room.
The Great Hall was unusually empty. Less than ten people from different houses and different years sat around the Hufflepuff table - the only one with food on it. Some professors were also present in the room; she saw Professor Garlick speaking excitedly with Professor Ronen while Professor Sharp was sitting back and listening to their conversation.
Then the smell of sweetness hit her hard.
“Oh, Merlin…” She muttered and heard Sebastian's laughter as she approached the table full of colorful sweets, chocolate frogs, chocolate fountain, and cupcakes, and- “Oh, I will regret it, won’t I?’
“You only live once,” Sebastian sat at the table and grabbed himself a purple cupcake.