Snow at Hogwarts
'"Brr!" You rubbed your mitten hands together, desperately trying to keep your fingers from freezing solid. "It's colder out here than the look Imelda gave me this morning."
Sebastian laughed loudly at that, his emerald-lined cloak flapping noisily in the brisk wind. "I'm surprised they didn't cancel Care of Magical Creatures today. Can't imagine the creatures are too thrilled either."
Together you trudged through the thickening snow, up to your ankles in it now and leaving quickly filling footprints behind.
"Did Ominis head to class without us again?" You asked, the tip of your nose now completely numb, your chattering teeth making it difficult to speak.
"He seems rather put out at the amount of personal information I tell you." Sebastian shrugged, glancing down at your shivering form. "Come here, give me your hands."
The two of you took shelter beneath a heavy fir tree, the ground below relatively clear of snow thanks to the thick branches above. You gave Sebastian a wary look as you shuffled near to him, accepting his outstretched hand as he withdrew his dark walnut wand.
"Don't give me that pathetic look, I'm not going to blast your fingers off." He sniffed loudly, clearing his throat before muttering a quick incantation.
An immediate warmth spread from the tips of your icy fingers, flowing down through your hands and up your arms with pleasant swiftness. You flexed your fingers within Sebastian's grasp, giving him a grateful smile.
"Thank you Seb."
"Yes, well." Sebastian nodded to you, stowing his wand once more within his Slytherin robes. "Your shivering was becoming mildly alarming. Don't want to have to drag your body up to the hospital wing do I?"
"Thoughtful as ever." You teased, nudging your shoulder against his and coaxing a grudging smile from your friend.
"Don't tell anyone, I have a reputation to uphold."
He began walking again, a little in front of you and completely oblivious to your sudden mischievous movements as you doubled over, grabbing a handful of snow and shaping it into a sloppy ball.
Taking careful aim, you lobbed the frozen projectile at your friend's back. It struck him and splattered all over his black robes. Sebastian whirled on you, suprise and disbelief quickly transforming into amusement on his freckled face, his brown eyes widening with incredulity. "Oh, you've done it now! Not even your ancient magical powers will save you!"
With a shrieking laugh you took off running away from him as he stooped to gather his own snowball. You felt a cold impact as it hit you across the right shoulder, unbalancing you as you tried to evade him. Your feet slipped from under you and you slid in the snow all the way down to the base of the hill, passing several confused students who were also making their careful way to Care of Magical Creatures.
It was your Hufflepuff friend, Poppy, who helped you to your wobbly feet, assisting as you brushed layers of snow from your school uniform. "What happened to you?" She asked and followed your accusing finger as you point up the hill to where Sebastian was making his way down to you. His face was alight with mirth as he laughed at the state you were in.
"That backfired spectacularly I would say!" He chortled, shaking his head at you. "This is how you repay a friend for healing you? Chucking a snowball at them?"
"I wouldn't exactly call it 'healing', Sebastian." You grumbled, now thoroughly chilled to the bone. "I'd been itching to do that all day, but my hands were too cold."
"Ah, I see." He didn't hesitate to help you dry off, using the same incantation he had before you'd bit off more than you could chew. "It's my fault, then."
You nodded and he laughed again. People had mentioned to you before how Sebastian hardly ever cracked a smile before he became friends with you. Some of your closer schoolmates, such as Poppy and Natty, even went so far as to tease you rather relentlessly about how Sebastian lit up when in your presence.
"Let's get to class." Poppy suggested and led the way as you and Sebastian followed.
You saw the class hut up ahead with an awning blocking the falling snow and magically floating torches arranged around the tables to keep the space warm.
A tugging at the neck of your robes was your only warning before Sebastian shoved a handful of snow down the back of your shirt. You squealed, wheeling around to smack him on the chest but he'd already hastened away toward your usual spot, cackling.
"I suppose I deserved that." You muttered as Poppy turned to see what he'd done.
"I'm sure he'll warm you up later." She assured you, hooking her arm through yours as you walked the last few yards to class.
Your blush had nothing to do with the cold.