"So... does this mean we're courting now?"
Anna's quill scratches right through the paper, and she winces at the sudden jolt.
Usually, Sebastian is either sleeping through the History of Magic or doing some research of his own while professor Binns drones on and on.
This time was no different... until now. Sebastian's head rests comfortably on a pillow of stacked books, turned towards her.
Anna glances nervously over her shoulder. They aren't seated at the same desk. He has to speak loud enough to be able to make himself heard across the small distance separating their tables.
"I ugh... don't know?"
He doesn't look away, his still sleepy eyes watching her through the dark eyelashes. Almost... dreamily? Perhaps he thinks he is still in a dream?
Anna is about to ask him what he thinks they are when she feels a poke at her back. She turns to find Cressida Blume, watching her with keen interest.
"We were playing some snapdragon, but did I hear this right? You and Sebastian Sallow? Courting?!"
Anna groans. Cressida is a nice girl but an incurable gossip.
What's worse, her opponents at the game, Samantha Dale and Nellie Oggspire, have now also opened their ears wide, the game forgotten. The carnivorous snapdragon plant they were feeding the burning raisins to hisses and snaps - as its name so aptly reflects - at them, but Nellie simply pushes the entire bowl towards it, letting it eat its fill.
"Cressida..."
"Does Garreth know about it?"
She expected to be pelted with questions... but this one wasn't anywhere on the list.
"What? Why do you bring him up?"
Cressida seems a bit taken aback.
"But I heard you and Garreth were..."
"You heard? From whom?" Anna's eyes narrow as her mood sours instantly.
"I've heard it from Ellie who heard from Simona who heard from Garreth, I think."
About three-quarters of her want to set Garreth Weasley on fire right this second, as he is snoring away at the back of the class. But the rational side of her wins in the end. There are better ways to get back at the annoying ginger.
"Cressida, let me get this straightened out: Garreth and I never were. I have no idea where that rumour came from but you shouldn't believe everything you hear."
"Oh... but I already told Lenora..."
"Cressida!"
"... and Imelda..."
"Cressida!!"
"... and Everett and Leander, just to warn them!..."
"Cressida!! "
Anna covers her face with her hands in disbelief.
"Wonderful, now in addition to being known for wrangling trolls and riding hippogriffs I'm also going to be a vapid flirt. Thank you ."
Meanwhile, choking coughs can be heard from the neighbouring desk. Anna throws a withering glare at Sebastian who is desperately trying not to laugh out loud.
" I'm the one who gets my reputation ruined when you are the shameless flirt in this relationship!"
"So you admit there is a relationship?" She tries to stay mad at him but he is wearing that charming smirk, the one that would let him get away with murder.

YOU ARE READING
Up and Down
Fanfiction[Completed] Anne's malady is a curse, is it not? The newest Ravenclaw is not so sure. When all else fails, her Muggle upbringing provides a yet unexplored pathway. After all, the simplest explanation, however improbable, must be correct. If only it...