Bertie Botts
The fireplace glowed warmly upon your face as you leafed through the hefty tome Sebastian had lent you for charms class. The bustle of the common room behind you dulled to a pleasant hum as you sat upon the plush leather sofa.
“I’m telling you, I tasted grass.” The couch dipped beside you as Sebastian sat, gesturing broadly to Ominis who hovered over him, a Bertie Botts Every Flavor Bean box in his hands.
“The fact you can’t tell the difference between grass and bogie is alarming, Sebastian.” Ominis shook his head, his milky eyes narrowing as he shook the beans near Sebastian’s nose.
“You try one.” Sebastian retrieved a sickly green bean and offered it to you. “Assure Ominis I’m not crazy.”
“Count me out!” You protested, taking hold of his wrist and moving the bean away from you. “I never get lucky with those things. Besides, do you think the grass ones taste delicious or something? I think Ominis is right.”
Sebastian slumped against the sofa, rolling his eyes and popping the green bean into his mouth. Immediately his expression soured and he sat it back into his hand with a “eeugh!”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” You scooted away from the boys, shielding your book from any bean debris. “You are aware according to Wizard Weekly the good flavors are significantly outnumbered by the bad?”
“Never tell me the odds.” Sebastian dipped his hand into the box again, this time retrieving a yellow bean with red splotches.
“Just take it.” Ominis shoved the candy jar into his friend’s grasp and moved to sit carefully next to him. “I’ll stick to chocolate frogs…though I do tend to lose them if I’m not careful.”
“They are frisky.” You agreed, still giving Sebastian the side eye as he nibbled the bean.
“Oh this one is quite good actually!” Sebastian bit off half and handed you the remaining portion. “Go on, give it a go.”
“You two are disgusting.” Ominis faced the fire, closing his eyes against the warmth of it. “Almost makes me glad I’m blind.”
You choked on laughter, not sure if it was alright to laugh but Ominis chuckled and you and Seb joined in after a hesitant moment.
Under Sebastian’s watchful eye you popped the remaining bean into your mouth and chewed thoughtfully. A bitter taste flooded around your tongue, so foul you couldn’t contain your retching.
“What in Merlin’s name was that?” You closed your book and began thwacking Sebastian on the shoulder with it.
“Vomit!” He was bent double with laughter, feebly attempting to ward off your attack with raised arms. “Oi! Remember I lent you that book you’re now using as a weapon against me!”
“Just wait until I get a book of jinxes!” You threatened, easing into laughter of your own as the horrific taste wore away. “Those beans honestly need to be outlawed.”
“And rob Sebastian of the pleasure of tormenting his friend?” Ominis chimed in. “Perish the thought.”
“At least I know the difference between bogies and grass.” Sebastian crossed his arms, the snake on his green badge glowing golden a moment as it reflected firelight.
“I’m not sure that’s as impressive as you think it is.” You needled him, nudging his ribs with an elbow. “Ominis and I will stick to our butterbeer and chocolate, but you have fun.”
You cracked open the charms book once more, keenly aware of Sebastian’s presence as he leaned into your space, peering at the text. “Have you finished Professor Ronen’s homework yet?”
“I have at that.”
“So this is…what? Extra curricular studying?”
You turned your head to give Sebastian a sharp look, almost brushing your nose against his in the process he was so close. “I had to wait five years to be able to study such things, it’s fun for me!”
He backed off a bit, giving you some space though his knee still touched yours lightly as you sat together. “In that case, care to help me finish my essay?”
You narrowed your eyes at him as Ominis spoke up from over his shoulder. “Mine as well, if you’re so inclined. I can’t get passed Gamp’s Law of Elemental Transfiguration.”
“But that’s our transfiguration homework Ominis.” You carefully marked your place and closed the charms spellbook.
“Oh I need help with that too!” Sebastian gave you his signature wide brown eyed look as Ominis nodded. “Weasley assigned a whole fourteen inches to be turned in tomorrow!”
You groaned, shifting to retrieve your schoolbag. “You two promised me to get your homework done in a timely manner!”
“If you help us, I promise to never feed you a Botts bean ever again.”
“How generous Sebastian.” You gave him a glare, bemusement twisting your mouth. “Now are you going to get your parchment and quills or must I also write it for you?”
“You are a life saver!” Sebastian enthusiastically rummaged through his own bag, shooting you a grateful smile.
“Truly.” Ominis accepted help from Seb in arranging his papers and ink. “Thank you for always helping us.”
You smiled to yourself, parchment and quills laid out before the three of you, your wands resting beside the whole mess as you practiced the incantations. Sebastian and Ominis wrote down their findings with some guidance, and you made sure to read through their writings correcting grammatical errors as you went.
The common room had emptied by the time you were done and it was far passed the hour for you to be going to bed. Your limbs ached as you rose from the cushions, stretching widely before slinging your leather bookbag over your shoulder. “Have a good night boys.”
Sebastian rose and gave you a hug, the fleece of his jumper scratching your chin as you leaned against him.
“Good night!” Ominis called to you, already climbing the stone steps to the boy’s dormitories.
“We’d be lost without you.” Sebastian tried for a light airy tone but his brown eyes conveyed an uncharacteristic gravity that you understood all too well.
You hugged him again, this time briefer. “I’d be lost without you as well, Sebastian.”