Sebastian Sallow
“Attention students,” Professor Black called from the podium. “Due to an incident with some tampering of refreshments during last night’s celebration, we will no longer be hosting such an event at this school in years to come. However, the feast shall still remain.” Groaning from various students were heard throughout the hall. “As tradition dictates with the Triwizard Tournament, we will still be hosting the Yule Ball during Christmas break as that time arrives. However, staff will be monitoring any and all refreshments, and charmed gowns and robes are forbidden. That is all.” After finishing his speech Professor Black left the hall, and looked fairly irritated by the fact he had to give a speech in the first place.
Sebastian turned back around in his seat to continue eating his breakfast. He was alone this morning, as he woke up just fifteen minutes ago to Enoch being sprawled out on the floor next to their beds, dead asleep. Ominis wasn’t in his bed either, but Sebastian figured he’d turn up eventually. He didn’t think to make sure he got back okay due to Enoch being completely useless at taking care of himself after drinking so much of that juice.
Such a dreadful idea, Sebastian thought. Can’t believe I let him trust Weasleylike that.
It seemed the juice didn't just affect them, but the Great Hall had a low turnout for breakfast, and those who did arrive either looked very confused or very tired and irritable. Sebastian himself had a bit of a headache, and woke up feeling achy all over. But that also could've been because he slept half off his bed the whole night due to Enoch falling asleep on top of him.
That was another thing Sebastian rubbed his face in frustration and embarrassment about. Enoch passed out on top of him, full contact and head resting just on Sebastian's shoulder. He himself couldn't sleep for a while due to being too in shock of the whole thing. Being so close to him for so long, listening to his breaths, feeling his chest lift with every one. He sort of hated feeling so happy about it. Not because of Enoch being on top of him, but because Enoch wasn't in his right mind while doing so.
He wondered if he even knew it happened at all, that he'd just wake up on the floor confused about how he got there. Maybe he wouldn't remember anything he did under the effects of Garreth's potion. And maybe that was a good thing.
"Did you see Edevane last night?"
"They should get rid of the school robes. A body like his should be seen. I didn't know he looked that nice."
"Apparently he drank some of that juice Professor Black was just talking about. I've never seen him so energetic. He actually danced."
"Him and Poppy Sweeting looked so good together. I'm so jealous."
Sebastian slammed his fork onto the table with such force it rattled the plates and cups nearby, and also spooked the small group of Slytherin girls that were deep in their conversation, unbeknownst to anyone able to hear their chatter. They stared at him in confusion as he jumped up from the table with a clenched jaw and exited the hall, not wanting to listen to another word. He wanted to be anywhere but there at that moment.
And he went straight to the Slytherin common room, as he had nowhere else he wanted to go. He sat in a comfortable and familiar armchair that faced the fireplace. He crossed his hands and shook his leg up and down, biting down on his lip so hard he was about to pierce through. He had a lot to think about, and the roaring fire in front of him was grounding him as he stared intently at it.
Various Slytherin students came in and out of the common room, but none sat near Sebastian, and he was thankful for it. He really couldn't pinpoint exactly what was messing with him so badly, but he could at least narrow it down to being about Enoch.
Enoch who played piano for him yesterday. Enoch who looked good in his outfit at the ball. Enoch who was playful with him. Enoch who fell asleep on top of him.
Enoch dancing with Poppy. Enoch leaving his side. Enoch not being aware of what he was doing to him.
"Good morning." Sebastian blinked and looked away from the fire, eyes landing on the tall Slytherin boy standing above him, rubbing his eye. He was changed out of his dress clothes, into his regular dress shirt and trousers, save for the blazer. And even though he tried to keep appearances by getting changed, his hair was cowlicked at odd ends and his shirt was still untucked. "I think."
"Morning," Sebastian replied, looking back at the fire. "You missed breakfast."
"I figured as much." Enoch sat down in the chair adjacent. "I feel like I just tumbled down a mountain."
"Well, you did tumble off a bed."
Enoch chuckled. "The floor is very uncomfortable, by the way." Sebastian gritted his teeth. Enoch was acting normal, like nothing ever happened. Well, to be honest, nothing did happen. At least to everyone except for Sebastian.
"Oh, and, speaking of floors," Enoch started up again, peering behind their chairs. "Why is Ominis over there?"
Sebastian curiously followed Enoch's actions and looked behind their chairs. Ominis was curled up in a ball on a rug near a settee just feet away from them. Sebastian shook his head at his friend and sat back in his chair. "So that's where he went last night."
"Last night," Enoch said, pausing. "What happened? I mean, I remember putting Garreth's potion in the pumpkin juice, and drinking it. And I remember talking to you and Ominis," he paused again. "But I don't remember much else."
Sebastian couldn't tell if he was relieved or angry by Enoch not remembering. Relieved, he wouldn't ask questions. Angry, it wasn't on purpose. Of course it wasn't on purpose. Of course. You're going mad, Sebastian thought.
"It seems Weasley miscalculated the true effects of his potion," Sebastian answered. "You said he wanted to have fun? He succeeded. However, how much fun he wanted was an oversight on his end."
Enoch looked at Sebastian curiously. "So, it was too much? Do the teachers know?"
Sebastian snickered. "Professor Black was forced to give a speech about it at breakfast. Masquerade balls are no more, after this year. And I assume Garreth Weasley will be receiving a handsome punishment."
Enoch sat back into his chair and sighed. "Poor Garreth. Maybe I shouldn't have listened to him after all."
"Yes, you shouldn't have. I hope you'll keep that in mind next time."
The boys sat in silence after that, both content with looking at the fire in the fireplace. Enoch took this time to smooth out his hair, and Sebastian counted his own breaths.
"I'm starving," Enoch said through the silence.
Sebastian looked over at him. "Want to go to the kitchens?"
The kitchens underneath the Great hall was a place Sebastian had visited many times before, as he could fondly recall sneaking down there after curfew with Anne and Ominis on nights when none of them could sleep. And now he was there once more, with neither of them. Instead, he was with the one person that controlled his every thought nowadays.
The house elves never paid them any mind except for quickly making a plate of various snacks and displaying them on a table for them to take. Either they were very happy to feed the young wizards, or didn’t want them to mess with any of their workspace.
The two boys entered with Enoch curiously looking around, this having been his first time here. Sebastian walked on ahead, watching a small house elf rush over with a plate of breads and cakes, gently placing it on a table near them. He picked up a couple pieces, examining which flavors he liked best, when the sound of an aluminum cup rattled across the floor to his left.
“What was that?” Enoch asked, walking up behind Sebastian.
“No idea,” he answered, looking over to see a cup slowly rolling out from under a messy, hoarded table filled with various boxes of what looked to be vegetables. And then the two boys saw a hand outstretched from behind a box underneath the table, a hand that didn’t belong to a house elf. The hand clumsily felt around for the cup before grabbing it and yanking back behind the box.
The two boys looked at each other curiously before silently deciding to go investigate. They slowly approached the table, Sebastian beginning to lean to his side to try and peek behind the boxes. And as they got closer, he began to see the legs of a wizard boy. And even closer, the red hem of a Gryffindor robe.
“Garreth?” Enoch called as they got close enough to see the boy’s face.
Garreth jumped in surprise, dropping the pastry he had in his hand onto his lap. He looked at the boys with wide eyes before quickly calming down, letting out a sigh.
“Oh, it’s just you two. Had me scared half to death. Thought you were my aunt.”
“Are you... hiding from Professor Weasley?” Enoch asked.
“Yes,” he replied, sounding worried. “She told me to come by her office this morning. I’ve been hiding here ever since.”
“About the potion you had me put in the pumpkin juice?”
“Exactly. Everyone told me this morning when I woke up about the disaster I caused. Well, everyone who could tell me. Leander wouldn’t wake up, thought he was dead.”
“If only,” Sebastian muttered under his breath, causing Enoch to elbow his side. Garreth didn’t seem to notice, as he kept talking.
“I don’t remember anything. But my aunt is very angry. I’m too scared to go and see her.”
“You’re going to have to eventually, Garreth. If not today, then tomorrow when you go to Transfiguration.”
“You’re right. It’s unavoidable.” Garreth looked down at his lap in disappointment before shooting his head back up with a bright look on his face. “Wait! Enoch, if you could help me-”
“No,” Sebastian answered plainly. “I think you should face your fears. She’s just your aunt after all.”
Garreth had a look of desperation. “And that’s why I’m scared of her. Usually I just have to listen to her lectures when I blow up something in class, but nothing this large. I’d be much braver if she was just deputy headmistress, but the fact she’s my aunt is what frightens me the most.”
Sebastian snickered and looked away. He couldn’t help but feel personal emotions from this conversation, and couldn’t believe he was braver than a Gryffindor. What’s that bravery title for, roleplay?
"Then I wish you luck with that, Garreth," Enoch spoke once more before heading back to the plate of food. Garreth gave one last whimper as he looked down at the bread in his hands, and Sebastian followed Enoch.
"Do you think he'll be alright?" Enoch asked as the two boys walked back to the common room. He gnawed away at a pastry in his hand as his other one was trying hard to balance a bunch more pastries.
"Is that any of our concern?" Sebastian spoke back, not caring.
"Well, not really, but I feel terrible. I'm the one who did it after all."
Sebastian rolled his eyes, knowing if he said anymore he’d just start berating the Gryffindor boy. He was happy when Enoch ended the conversation as well, and enjoyed their silent walk back to the dungeons.