A Dangerous Proposition
Sebastian Sallow healed at an alarming rate.
Astoria figured there wasn't much he wasn't good at—whether it was duelling, sneaking into places he shouldn't be, or fixing himself after getting knocked off his broomstick by a brute of a Gryffindor Beater.
Two days in bed, and he was already up and hobbling around the corridors. A week later, he was back to his old ways, sneaking out after curfew, much to Nurse Blainey's dismay.
He was so much back to himself, in fact, that he found himself face to face with Garreth Weasley in the corridors for the first time since the match.
Sebastian braced himself, expecting some smug remark, some Gryffindor-branded gloating.
Instead, Garreth looked sheepish.
"Listen, Sallow," Garreth began, rubbing the back of his neck. "That was a hell of a game. You were brilliant out there."
Sebastian arched an eyebrow. "Was I? Must not have been that brilliant if we lost."
Garreth winced. "Alright, fair. But—" he exhaled. "I wanted to apologize. Owens—what he did? That's not very Gryffindor of him."
Sebastian studied him for a moment before shrugging. "No, it wasn't. But I suppose one of you lot having a conscience is a step in the right direction."
Garreth rolled his eyes. "You really can't help yourself, can you?"
Sebastian smirked. "Not even a little."
The tension eased after that, shifting into something more familiar as Garreth grinned and said, "Well, anyway. We had a bet, and now that I've seen you're not dead, I think it's time you pay up."
Sebastian grimaced. He'd nearly forgotten that part.
With a great deal of resentment, he muttered, "Fine. You're the better Beater."
Garreth's grin widened. "Louder, Sallow. I don't think the people in the back heard you."
Sebastian scowled, but complied through gritted teeth. "You. Are. The better Beater." He grimaced "Ugh, that tasted disgusting on my tongue."
Garreth patted him on the back. "That's the spirit, mate."
Sebastian enters the Professor Sharp's classroom and immediately spots Astoria—seated besides Garreth, the two of them huddled close over a bubbling cauldron, laughing at something inaudible.
Sebastian clenched his jaw and begrudgingly took his usual seat besides Grace Pinch-Smedley, who wasted no time turning to him with a bright smile. "Sebastian, you were incredible in the match. Honestly, the way you handled that Bludger? I don't think I've ever seen a first-time Beater play like that."
Sebastian barely glanced at her, shrugging. "Thanks."
Grace twirled a strand of blonde hair around her finger. "I was actually thinking... I could help you catch up on some of the lessons you missed while you were in the hospital wing. Maybe we could—"
"Appreciate the offer," Sebastian cut in smoothly, "but I think I'll manage."
Grace's smile faltered slightly, but she nodded. "Of course. Just let me know if you change your mind."
Sebastian exhaled, turning his attention back to the front of the room.
As if he needed any tutoring.
Professor Sharp swept into the room, his usual piercing gaze scanning the students. "Today, you will attempt brewing one of the most complex potions known to wizard-kind—Felix Felicis."
The class buzzed at the mention of Liquid Luck.
Garreth, grinning wildly, nudged Astoria. "This one's practically begging for a little... enhancement, don't you think?"
Astoria raised an eyebrow. "Garreth..."
"Oh, come on," he whispered. "Just a small improvement. What's the worst that could happen?"
As it turned out? Catastrophe.
The cauldron exploded, showering the class in shimmering gold liquid. A few students floated up to the ceiling, their limbs flailing wildly.
Professor Sharp's eye twitched.
"Mr. Weasley," he said, voice dangerously calm. "Ten points from Gryffindor."
Garreth, now drenched in potion, shrugged sheepishly. "I suppose that didn't go quite as intended but at least I'm making progress on that Anti-Gravity potion!"
Sebastian, levitating mid-air, scowls in disbelief.
Astoria, meanwhile, was laughing uncontrollably, finding then the sheer chaos of the situation utterly amusing.
Sebastian's gaze lingered on her. Even when she was laughing at something entirely stupid, she was—
His thoughts were interrupted as Professor Sharp returned the floating students to the ground with a wave of his wand, muttering about reckless experiments. "Class dismissed," he announced curtly "And Mr Weasley? Detention. This afternoon."
Sebastian seemed pleased.
Astoria, still chuckling, grabbed her books and turned to Sebastian. "Well, that was an eventful lesson."
Sebastian huffed, adjusting his robes. "You and Weasley seem to have a wonderful time nearly blowing up classrooms. Remind me to start wearing protective gear to Potions."
She smirked. "Oh, come on. It was a little funny."
He gave her a sidelong look, the corners of his mouth twitching up. "If you say so."
They stepped out of the classroom together, their strides naturally falling in sync. The hallways were bustling, students discussing the catastrophe that had been their Potions lesson.
Sebastian glanced at Astoria as they navigated the crowd. "So, have you made any progress on Isidora's diary?"
Astoria sighed. "Not much, honestly. Between classes, the Quidditch match, and you nearly maiming yourself, I haven't had much time."
Sebastian smirked. "Then allow me to make it up to you. Study session tonight? Undercroft?"
Astoria pretends to consider it. "Alright."
That night, in the Undercroft...
Sebastian and Astoria sat cross-legged on the stone floor, books and parchment scattered around them.
"We've been at this for hours," Sebastian muttered. "And still nothing on Caen Dainforth."
Ominis's voice suddenly cut through the silence. "Perhaps that's because someone wanted it that way."
Astoria jumped, while Sebastian nearly drew his wand on instinct.
The blonde-haired boy frowns. "Don't look so startled. This was my secret spot first, remember?"
Astoria scowled. "You nearly gave me a heart attack, Ominis."
Ominis tilted his head, "Apologies, should I have knocked first? Or perhaps sent an owl ahead?"
Sebastian rolled his eyes. "Don't start."
"If someone wanted Caen erased, they would've hidden the records." Astoria muses.
Sebastian's eyes lit up. "Which means we just need to go somewhere with the most classified Hogwarts records."
Astoria grinned. "The Headmaster's library." she stated, like it was the most obvious thing.
Ominis looked positively mortified. "Oh, no. Absolutely not."
Sebastian grinned wickedly. "And people think I'm the bad influence."
Astoria kicked him.
Ominis sighed, already regretting his existence.