Sebastian's Breaking Point
The Great Hall buzzed with its usual evening chatter.
The scent of roasted meats and fresh bread filled the air, and laughter echoed through the vast chamber. Astoria sat at the Gryffindor table with Garreth, Natty, and a few other friends, her plate half-empty as she tried to focus on their conversation.
It was getting easier, she supposed—spending time with them, forcing herself to laugh at Garreth's ridiculous antics, pushing back the nagging ache in her chest whenever her mind wandered elsewhere.
Then a loud crash sounded from outside the Great Hall, followed by the unmistakable crack of spells colliding. The noise cut through the lively chatter like a knife. Heads turned toward the entrance as more shouting erupted just beyond the grand doors.
Astoria frowned, rising from her seat. "What in Merlin's name—?"
Another sharp bang sounded, followed by the flash of red light that seeped through the cracks of the doorway. A duel.
She didn't hesitate. Grabbing her wand, she rushed toward the exit, Natty and Garreth close behind her. As soon as she stepped out into the corridor, her heart plummeted.
Sebastian.
He stood in the middle of the hallway, his wand drawn and his face twisted in barely-contained fury. Opposite him, looking just as furious, was a seventh-year Slytherin—Theon Rosier. A known brute, skilled in dark hexes, with a cruel streak that made most students wary. The crowd had already formed around them, sensing a spectacle, tension thick in the air.
Astoria barely had time to process what was happening before Theon sneered, raising his wand again. "Confringo!"
Sebastian twisted out of the way just in time, the spell slamming into the wall behind him with a thunderous boom. Shards of stone exploded across the hallway.
"Sebastian!" Astoria shouted, but he didn't seem to hear her. His jaw was clenched, his grip on his wand so tight his knuckles turned white. His eyes were alight with something dark, something dangerous.
Theon strolled forward, brushing dust from his shoulder with maddening calm. “You’ve been touchy lately, Sallow. What’s the matter? Gryffindor boy getting too close to your girl?”
Sebastian's muscles tensed, but he didn't rise to the bait. He simply adjusted his stance, rolling his shoulder as though preparing for another round. "That the best you've got, Rosier? Didn't know you needed to run your mouth to win a duel."
Theon grunted, and then his voice dropped into something filthier, nastier. "Maybe I should take Blackwood for a ride too. Since she's already breaking it in with Weasley."
Sebastian froze.
Then, he saw red.
"Keep her name out of your filthy mouth!"
Before anyone could react, he launched forward, his wand slashing through the air with reckless abandon. "Bombarda!"
The explosion rocked the corridor, fire and light surging toward Rosier. He ducked just in time, but the shockwave knocked nearby students back.
Rosier roared in fury, answering with a Blasting Curse that cracked the floor between them.
That was it.
Astoria threw herself forward, wand raised. "Protego Maxima!"
A golden dome erupted between the boys, halting the next barrage of spells in their tracks. The sheer force sent both of them stumbling backwards.
Sebastian landed hard on the ground, wincing as he clutched his ribs. Rosier staggered, blood running from his nose.
Astoria's heart was in her throat as she rushed to Sebastian's side. He was struggling to sit up, one hand braced against the ground, the other clutching his ribs.
"You absolute idiot," she snapped, kneeling beside him. "What were you thinking?"
He groaned, sitting up slowly. “Had it under control.”
“Under control?” she echoed, her voice rising with disbelief. “Sebastian, you’re bleeding.”
He wiped at the cut on his lip absently "It's nothing."
“It’s not nothing, you idiot.” Her hands hovered over his face, as if torn between checking his injuries or throttling him. “What were you even fighting about?"
He didn't answer.
She sat back on her heels, frustration boiling over. “You could’ve been seriously hurt! For what? A few taunts from a pure-blood arse who thinks he's clever?”
The way his jaw tensed, the way his eyes flickered, told her everything she needed to know—he was still furious, still caught in the storm of whatever this was.
Behind them, Theon scoffed. "Look at that. She's right where she belongs—on her knees, fussing over you like some lovesick little—"
Sebastian moved faster than she could process.
Despite the pain, despite her being right there, he surged to his feet, his wand drawn, ready to lunge again—
"Expelliarmus!" Astoria cast before he could act on it.
Sebastian's wand flew from his grasp, skidding across the stone.
He stared at her, stunned.
Astoria was shaking, barely keeping her breathing steady. "Enough," she hissed, her voice quiet but sharp. "It's over."
Sebastian's eyes searched hers, wild and unrelenting, but whatever he saw there must have struck him silent.
Then, his expression twisted into something bitter. "Right. Of course, you're on his side."
Astoria recoiled. "What—?"
"Forget it," He turned on his heel and stormed off, shoving through the crowd without another word.
Theon chuckled behind her, wiping more blood from his mouth. "Touchy, isn't he?"
Astoria whirled on him, her wand pointed directly at his chest. "Shut your mouth before I hex it shut."
Theon held up his hands mockingly. "Easy, sweetheart. Just having a bit of fun."
"Walk away, Rosier. Now."
He chuckled, but after seeing the fire in her eyes, he wisely turned on his heel and disappeared into the hall.
Astoria exhaled, her shoulders sinking as the tension finally broke. She bent to pick up Sebastian's wand. She had never seen Sebastian that furious before. Not even in the catacombs.
Ominis was already making his way toward her, sighing heavily as he stopped at her side. "You really need to put him on a leash," he muttered.
Astoria shook her head, gripping Sebastian's wand tightly. "He's going to get himself killed."
Ominis frowned, his voice softer. "Then don't let him."
Astoria swallowed hard, staring after the path Sebastian had taken.
She wasn't sure if he'd even let her anymore.