Sebastian Sallow
Leander was at it again. Truly it was almost pitying if Sebastian hadn’t known the poor Gryffindor for five years. Not that there was anything wrong with Leander, but the prideful declarations of a duel(Gryffindors did so love their proud declarations) at the start of almost every year were… annoying. Even Sebastian got tired of beating the same git over and over again.
Just as the bones fell and Sebastian cast a spell that would’ve nearly destroyed half of the classroom just to save Leander Prewett, the classroom door opened. Professor Hecate caught the bones and made a speech about carelessness, but Sebastian’s attention was caught on the tall boy standing next to the door, eyes taking in the scene. Very, very blue eyes, could put Ominis in the running for how pale blue eyes could possibly get.
And when Sebastian was beat in the duel in class, he was annoyed but strangely intrigued. For this was a person he could utilize should he be on Sebastian’s side. A couple of secrets here and possibly helping this student out with whatever he needed and Sebastian might have some leverage. Besides from Natsai, any experience Sebastian has had from Gryffindors was… lacking and annoying. This one should be easy to lead with an ego stroke or two.
Even as he told himself this, meeting heading towards the library to meet with Ominis(and give the restricted section another go), the student, Henry, had an odd aura about him. Sebastian couldn’t unsee the reserved smile and polite acknowledgement towards his own duelling skills even after Henry had beat him fair and square.
❈✢❈
“-will take him into Hogsmeade to get any school supplies he doesn’t already have, alright Mr.Sallow?” Professor Weasley instructed as she walked Sebastian down the halls, away from the library. Sebastian’s eyebrows raised, oddly surprised.
“Me? I’m not complaining, Professor, but we’ve only spoken once.”
“You must have been a grand impression, then, Mr.Sallow, because Mr.DeWitt asked for you specifically.” A flush of pride rose in Sebastian’s cheeks at the comment, but he nodded, keeping his expression even.
“Yes, Professor.”
“Good,” the witch smiled warmly, “I heard he was speaking with Professor Sharp earlier so he may be la- Oh! Nevermind he’s right there.”
Sebastian retraced his eyes down to the Gryffindor, standing near the large doors leading to the grassy courtyard. He was scribbling in some massive book, eyes shifting from page to page as he marked whatever it was down. It certainly didn’t seem as though he was writing anything, just… outlining? It was hard to tell from the quill movements. From the side-view, Sebastian couldn’t see much of his face, but his shoulders were hunched too.
The sight made Sebastian stand straighter, not paying much mind to Professor Weasley bidding him farewell, now that the instructions were laid clear. Sebastian strode down the stairs, somehow feeling as though his hands needed to be doing something, instead he simply clasped them behind his back. Even as he approached Henry, an easily memorable name despite its commonality, Sebastian felt taller than the other boy, who was an inch or two taller than him. Usually, he liked that(what with his best mate being Ominis and all), but somehow it felt ill-fitting.
“Ah!” Sebastian grinned, ignoring the way the Gryffindor jumped at his voice, “So you’re to be my charge today. I hear you’re in need of my expert advice on the way to and around Hogsmeade, yes?” Henry tilted his head, smiling awkwardly.
“I… suppose, yes?” The smile fell and he nodded his head toward Sebastian, eyes cast, “If you’re willing, of course.” What was with this boy? Sebastian thought to himself as he grinned more and waved off the propriety. Never met a Gryffindor with such a bad case of awkward nerves. Never met an awkward Gryffindor, in general, actually, he realized, eyeing Henry as they made across the large field, passing the fountain.
Chatter filled the air, courtesy entirely of Sebastian himself, but Henry answered when prompted, an even smile on his face as he listened to Sebastian yap about where the best spots were for natural potion ingredients, the rumors he’d heard(not that he believed many of them), and how Henry had saved him from a well-timed detention.
“A common visitor in detention, are you?” Henry prodded, his smie bitten off at the edges. Sebastian gasped, feeling something loosen in his chest at the jest.
“Why, sir! If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were insulting my habits. Though I only get as many detentions as will keep me well-rounded, I’d say.” Henry huffed, a quiet laugh, and inquired more about Sebastian’s ‘habits’. Though he didn’t say too much, Sebastian did relinquish just enough to get the message out there. If Henry needed a way into the world of rule-breaking at Hogwarts, Sebastian was his guy.
As Sebastian took the reins in the conversation once more, he couldn’t help but watch Henry’s expression every few seconds. There was something… very connected about the way Henry walked through the woods, even if on the dirt paths to collect some plants every few minutes or so. Like he belonged in the spots that breathed magic. For not being a full-blood wizard(nobody knew if he was a half-blood or muggleborn), and Sebastian meant no ill-will by it, Henry had an unmistakable aura of magic about him. It was fascinating to watch. The small shifts in his expression when Sebastian jabbed at a teacher or showed him a new plant he’d probably never seen before.
It was almost like watching a niffler, drawn to magic, soaking it all up, encasing it.
Henry DeWitt could’ve been in Ravenclaw. Or Hufflepuff.
Or we could make a Slytherin of him, Sebastian thought to himself in good humor.
“You’ll like Hogsmeade,” Sebastian informed Henry, who was leaning to get a glimpse at the puffskein den just a small ways off the path. “Magic is infused into the very walls of the shops, I’d say. I think you fit in well as a wizard, couldn’t imagine you otherwise.” Henry’s expression slackened for a moment, and Sebastian’s ears warmed as the last bit slipped out. It was entirely honest, he did think that way. But, he hadn’t meant to say it. Sebastian trained his eyes back to the Hosgmeade bridge coming up, clearing his throat, “I just meant that if anyone ever comments on you being ‘abnormal’ due to you being late in the year, just know that, well- I’d say you seem comfortable in magic, is all.” It was quiet for a moment and Sebastian felt his front crack a little. He probably could’ve heard it crack from what he assumed with the awkwardness now.
“You say that a lot,” Henry spoke up, as they reached the bridge.
“Say what?”
“You say ‘I’d say’ when you’re not sure what exactly to say next. Means you don’t like it when conversation goes quiet.” Henry ducked his head, both of them paused at the bridge, as Sebastian’s mouth fell open, eyebrows raised. “I’m sorry if I’ve overstepped in any regard, I just meant-.”
“No, no,” Sebastian interrupted, grinning, “you’re correct, just didn’t think you’d peg my character this early on. You sure you’re not a Legilimens?”
“A… what?”
“It’s a wizard who- oh nevermind, I’ll tell you after we get your supplies.”
“Oh, okay, well… I appreciate it, that you think I’m a suitable wizard. Means a lot,” Henry smiled again and Sebastian’s grin softened down. Melting into something smaller, something realer. He clasped a hand on Henry’s shoulder and led him into Hogsmeade.
“I meant it, my dear charge, now, we get this done quick and I’ll buy you a butterbeer.”
“A what?”
“Oh, my friend, you are in for a treat, now what’s the first thing on your list? I’ve got my own errands to run.”
Truly, it had been a long, long time since Sebastian had wanted to get to know someone. Especially another peer that had nothing to do with Anne or didn’t have any information on her condition. But, what started out to be very professional fascination, turned out as genuine curiosity for Henry as a person. And not the sort that made Sebastian want to dig into his secrets and see what this new, odd character could do for his hunt in Anne’s cure(for that’s most of Sebastian’s thoughts when meeting a new person now, he admits it). It was the sort that he’d felt about Ominis during first year; like wanting to know what this person’s favorite magical beast was or what they wanted to do after school.
It… had been so long since Sebastian had any sort of inclination towards friendship with another person. Some part of him mourned it as the realization came. But, some part was rejuvenated at this awkward, sometimes witty fellow.
Sebastian was almost looking forward to simply knowing him. What an absurd notion... He couldn’t wait to tell Ominis.