Reflections of Erised

It was a bright clear morning, the rays of cold sunlight filtering in through the stained glass windows of the great hall. The chattering of hundreds of cheerful students filled the air, owls swooping low to deliver the morning mail, the magically conjured snow falling overhead.

You bantered happily with your fellow housemates, pouring your second goblet full of pumpkin juice, admiring the many Christmas trees adorning the large space, the biggest of which towered above the staff table.

A crisp clinging of metal on crystal hushed the students as Professor Weasley rose to her feet, knocking her spoon against her goblet.

“Students, as you know the holiday season is almost upon us and end of term exams are just around the corner.”

The atmosphere in the great hall darkened significantly as many students grumbled to each other, unhappy to be reminded of the looming tests. You caught the eye of Sebastian and you both grimaced at each other.

“However, there is something a little more pleasant I would like to announce to you all!” The deputy headmistress continued, a small smile tugging at her thin mouth. “A Yule dance…a ball if you will. Fourth years and up are invited and will be expected to bring a partner. If you decide to invite along someone who is in their first through third year that will be allowed.”

Exciting murmuring buzzed around the room, the fairy lights upon the bows of the trees seemed to glow a little brighter.

Your gaze flicked to where Sebastian sat next to Ominis, meeting his brown eyes, sending a flush to your cheeks. You turned your attention to forking a tomato into your mouth, missing wildly, and spilling it into your lap. With a clatter you set your utensil back upon the porcelain plate and put your elbows on the table, your face shielded by your hands as you were sure your face was about to melt off.

Your friend Nancy who sat next to you nudged you in the ribs. “Are you alright? Why is that Slytherin laughing at you?”

“Nevermind Nance.” You slowly dragged your fingers down your flaming face as you looked up into the magically enchanted ceiling, wishing the bench below would just swallow you up. “Who do you want to go to the ball with?”

“Oh…” Nancy paused to think, chewing on her bacon. “I was thinking of Prewitt, that Ravenclaw boy. We’ve been studying together quite often late into the night at the library, I’m almost positive he’ll ask me.” She prattled on cheerily for a few more minutes while you zoned out looking anywhere but to where Sebastian sat. “What about you?” Nancy asked, bringing your attention back around sharply.

“Yeah…that sounds great…” You were still fighting off the embarrassment of spilling your breakfast in your lap and so it took you a moment to digest what your friend had asked. “Oh! Oh, um, well.” You sighed heavily. “I don’t have anyone in mind really. Maybe that Weasley fellow, he seems nice.”

There was no way Sebastian would ask you to the dance. You speared a sausage with your knife making sure it was secure before carefully taking a bite. He was probably going to ask Imedla. Your blood boiled at the thought of that stuck up, arrogant, obnoxious-

“Morning!” A bright familiar voice interrupted your brooding.

You looked around to see none other than Garreth Weasley grinning down at you, his russet hair glowing in the sunlight. “Mind if I sit here?” Not waiting for an answer he scooched in between you and Nancy, turning to give you an almost too wide smile. “I wanted to thank you again for-er-the favor you helped me with the other week.”

“Not a problem Garreth.” You appraised him with curiosity, unused to the Gryffindor seeking you out at the breakfast table of all places. “Is there something else I can help you with?”

“Yes, actually.” Garreth ran a nervous hand through his hair. “I was wondering if you would go to this ball with me.”

Nancy laughed from over his shoulder, giving you a rueful smile. “Not even a moment to breathe before you get requests! I’m almost jealous.” She took a sip of orange juice. “Almost.”

You instinctively glanced over to Sebastian, surprised to see him looking over at you and Garreth with an almost-angry expression. He moved to stand but Ominis put a hand on his shoulder, muttering something into his ear. Sebastian turned his irritated gaze to Ominis, saying something terse back. Your curiosity piqued and you returned your attention back to Garreth. “I’m sorry, there’s already someone who I’m interested in going with.”

You don’t know where you got the nerve to turn the boy down like that, and almost regretted it as you saw his confidence fall in the slump of his shoulders. “Alright then…well…I’ll see you around then.” He stood slowly, evidently wanting to give you an opportunity to change your mind. When you only nodded and tried for a friendly wave he turned and stalked away.

Nancy scooted back close to you. “What was that about? I thought for sure you would say ‘yes’!”

“I wanted to.” You glanced back over to Sebastian but he was engrossed in his eggs. “But there is someone else I’d rather go with.”

She followed you line of sight, looking back at you with incredulity. “Sebastian Sallow? He was the one laughing at you though!”

“We’re good friends, Nancy.”

“He’s trouble that one.” She sighed and shrugged. “But there’s no accounting for taste I suppose. Just try not to get into trouble.”

“You know me…trouble usually finds me no matter what I do.”

She nodded in agreement, finishing her breakfast and downing the dregs of her juice. “Well, I’m off to the library! Maybe I can catch Prewitt before the girls start throwing themselves at him.”

She gathered her bookbag and gave you a pat on the back before departing, leaving you to finish your food as more students began departing the hall. You saw Sebastian and Ominis get up not too long after and begin making their way to charms class. You stuffed the rest of your food into your mouth, hurrying to catch up to your friends.

“It’s not nice to laugh at clumsy people you know!” Sebastian slowed to allow you to catch up, Ominis furrowing his brow in confusion at your words.

“It was pretty funny, you’ve got to admit.” He defended himself, looking over at you with a guarded expression.

“What happened?” Asked Ominis.

“Our friend here spilled their breakfast all over themselves.”

“It was just a tomato.”

Ominis held back a smile. “They’re right Seb, it isn’t nice to laugh at that however comical it may be.”

“Thanks Ominis.” You said sarcastically, hoisting your book bag higher upon your shoulder.

“I saw that Gryffindor boy talking to you. Didn’t know you were friends.” Sebastian tried to keep his tone casual, failing spectacularly. You noticed Ominis’ lips thin as he pursed them.

“Well, I’ve helped him out a couple times and-”

“He’s the one you went off with during the Mandrake lesson?” Sebastian asked, sharp as ever.

“I-yes.” You didn’t know why you felt so hot all of a sudden. “I’d say we’re friendly.”

“Hmm. What did he want?”

“Is this an interrogation?” You were becoming irritated and Ominis seemed keen to stay out of the conversation, offering you no backup as the three of you continued down the crowded corridor and up a flight of stairs. “He asked me to the ball.”

“Didn’t waste any time, did he?” Sebastian’s tone was downright unpleasant now and you felt your own irritation growing.

“I said ‘no’.”

The three of you had exited into the clear morning air, the courtyard sprawling before you, the thinning crowds of students making their hasty way to class around you. Sebastian stopped in his tracks, abruptly turning to you. “Why would you turn down precious Gryffindor Garreth Weasley? You know at least a quarter of the school would want to go with him to the dance? And he helped you in Herbology that one time as well, the two of you are practically joined at the hip.”

“Sebastian.” Ominis’ voice was chiding but Sebastian brushed him off still glaring at you.

“What has gotten into you?” Tears were beginning to prick the corners of your eyes. “I said no because I wanted to go with you, you buffoon!”

Sebastian seemed genuinely taken aback, at a loss for words which was lucky because you were on the verge of tears.

Your voice was choked as you continued. “Maybe I should have said yes. In fact, I might’ve just changed my mind after the way you just behaved!”

Sebastian didn’t call after you as you stormed off though you did hear Ominis say in a rebuking tone, “You’re your own worst enemy, Sallow.”

During class you made sure to sit away from your normal table where you had become used to sitting beside Ominis and Sebastian. You avoided even looking in their direction the whole hour and you were the first to leave the classroom when the bell rung.

Your other friends seemed concerned at your sudden lack of luster, Poppy in particular was sensitive to your emotions. “Are you alright? You seem…rather sad. Is there anything I can do?” She was a third year and hadn’t been asked by an older student to the ball yet, which had made her unhappy in her own right but she tried for you. “Do you want to get some butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks later?”

“Yes, I think that’d be nice.” You dabbed your eyes with the sleeve of your robes. “Thank you, Poppy.”

“I sense we both need a pick-me-up.” She squeezed your shoulder in a side hug.

After classes were over for the day, you walked together with Poppy back to the castle from Care of Magical Creatures, still deep in thought at what had transpired earlier. Your chest still hurt from the cutting words Sebastian had slung your way try as you might to shrug it off.

“Can I have a word?” His familiar voice startled you from your reverie. You glanced around to see Sebastian leaning against a stone pillar as you walked up to the bell tower courtyard.

“Sure.” Was your reply, not enthusiastic about what he had to say.

“I’ll leave you two to it.” Poppy looked between you and Sebastian, realization dawning on her petite features before she headed into the castle without you.

You walked over to where Sebastian stood, he straightened as you approached. “I wanted to apologize for earlier. I was a bit of an ass.”

“Just a bit.” You agreed. “Care to explain yourself?”

He grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck. “Walk with me?”

The two of you walked slowly away from the castle along cobblestone path overshadowed by evergreen trees. He was silent for a moment, you got the sense he was trying to choose his next words wisely.

“Ominis suggested I be frank with you and so here it goes.” Sebastian stopped walking next to a broad tree trunk and turned to face you, his hands clasped together. “It doesn’t excuse my outburst but I was jealous. Because I wanted to ask you to the dance and assumed, wrongly, that you had accepted Weasley’s invitation.”

It took you a moment to realize what he was saying. Your heart stuttered in your chest a moment. “You wanted to ask me?”

“I thought you knew.” Sebastian continued, nodding. “I mean, you looked over at me right after Professor Weasley made the announcement so I just assumed…”

“There are loads of people who would want to go with you.” You couldn’t keep the words from tumbling from your mouth. “I’ve seen the way Imelda looks at you. She tries to butter you up every chance she gets.”

“Now you sound jealous.” Sebastian laughed, shaking his head at you.

“Quite a pair we make.” You agreed, letting forth a nervous giggle.

“So?”

“So what?”

“Will you go to the ball with me.” Sebastian spoke slowly, as though addressing someone with a head injury.

You took an unsteady breath. “Yes, of course! On one condition.”

He tilted his head to the side, folding his arms across his chest, the Slytherin crest on his robes gleaming green in a ray of sunlight filtering through the bows above. “Oh now we’re naming terms?”

“Just try to stop letting your emotions get the better of you.” Anne’s letter came to your mind as you said it, your eyes creasing with worry as you looked at him.

Sebastian inhaled deeply, rolling his shoulders and cracking his knuckles. “Agreed. And if you sense me slipping just give me a slap or light my robes on fire or something.”

You chuckled and he grinned at you, extending a hand. “Friends again?”

“You’re ridiculous.” Your smile was fond as you moved forward, enfolding him in a firm hug. “Thanks for asking me to the ball.”

Sebastian held you tightly for a moment, the two of you listening to the breathing of the other and the creaking of the wind moving through the trees. He pulled back, his hands grasping lightly at your elbows. “Thanks for being you.” His eyes searched yours a moment, then he let his hands drop, stepping out of your space, breaking the spell of the moment. “Now we have to find someone to accompany Ominis.”

“He doesn’t have anyone in mind?”

“Merlin no!” Sebastian turned back towards Hogwards, extending an elbow for you to take. “And he won’t ask anyone either, says no one would want to go anywhere with a Gaunt.” He continued speaking as he escorted you back to the castle. “We both know that’s not true, so it’s up to us to find someone.”

“I’m sure it won’t be too difficult.” Already a plan was forming in your mind. “I have a Hufflepuff friend who is in third year…she would be thrilled if someone asked her to go. And I think they’d get along rather well at that.”

“Brilliant!” Sebastian gave your arm an affectionate squeeze. “Now we just have to convince him to ask her!”

You continued formulating a plan as the two of you wound you way up the staircases and through corridors paneled with dark wood, back towards the great hall where the dinner feast was about to begin.