Always || Sebastian Sallow x Reader

Chapter 8

All eyes fall on you as you step out of your dormitory. The azure common room glitters in silver and gold embroidery as if the stars themselves had fallen from the sky and landed on the ceiling. A cluster of first years stand huddled together, evidently whispering while flashing their eyes between the group and you. Slowly, you adjust your robes, correcting the way that your hood was falling upon your back. You begin to walk through the common room, sliding your wand into your robes. You approach the exit of the common room and notice both Amit and Everett sitting sluggishly upon the padded upholstery provided to us.

"Hey, guys..." you say. Both of their heads practically swing off in an effort to look at you. Their eyes wide for a moment, then return to normal. Everett looks at Amit, clearing his throat awkwardly, nudging his eyes between him and you.

"Hello (Y/N)", Amit starts. He begins rubbing his hands together as if to soothe himself. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course Amit. Ask away," you say. Concern begins to fill your body slowly.

"Ah– privately?" He whispers. You take a step backward toward the exit of the common room.

"We could speak in the hall then..." You lead the way down the marble staircase into the candle-lit hall. You pat your hands dry of sweat on your robes. "Did I do something wrong, Amit?". Worry laces itself into your speech.

"No, not at all." He panics, swinging his hands in front of him, shaking them in agreement with his head from side to side. "In fact, nothing bad has occurred, just something... peculiar"

"Are you certain? Everyone is acting as though they have seen a ghost" you reply.

"Yes– it's about last night." He starts, lowering his voice so only the two of you can hear.

"Last night..." you repeat, remembering your adventures through the restricted section and the arena. "How much do you know?" you plead.

"Only that he fell asleep at the Ravenclaw Entrance. He couldn't solve the riddle to get in... serves him. Those Slytherins think they have the intellect to do anything." Amit remarks, his eyes rolling from left to right.

Your heart just about leaps out of your chest and free falls to the cobblestone hall beneath you.

"What?" Your eyes go narrow in confusion.

Amit stares through his thin brown hair plainly. "What do you mean, what? We all know now, it's okay." He shrugs.

Your head begins to throb. "Are you speaking of Sebastian?" you ask.

"Of course. Are you alright? Did you roll out of bed and smack your head or something?" He jokes, but after noticing that you are not laughing with him, a hand flies up to his mouth.

"Godric's heart, you had no idea."

"Yeah, I don't know what you're talking about Amit!" you whisper shout, panic coursing through your veins.

"Oh wow. Okay. Um–" He stutters. "Last night, after you and Sebastian were... 'out', doing whatever you were doing–"

"Please tell me that people aren't assuming that we... did anything." You ask, threatening Amit's eyes with your own.

"Well– people talk. We both know that–" he begins to worry.

"It isn't like that!" you panic. Your imagination violently interrupts your thoughts as images of Sebastian shirtless flood your mind. You shake your head and squeeze your temples in a physical attempt to rid your head of the idea. "Oh Merlin– Does he know?"