Before the Storm- Sebastian Sallow and Ominis Gaunt Love Triangle

Chapter 5: Welcome Back

Poppy and I ran into the Hufflepuff common room. She runs past me to find our rooms. I follow her into the beautiful and peaceful common room. She runs up the steps and opens a door. The room is filled with other sixth years unpacking. We did not see our stuff so she ran until we got to the very end of the hallway. She opens the door and sees our stuff.

"We are alone!" She squeals. I walk in and realize we are the only two that are in this room.

"How?" I ask Poppy because usually there are more girls here.

"Well, maybe it is because no one wanted to room with us!" She grins. She wasn't upset about it and neither am I. I am friendly with the other Hufflepuffs but I am not best friends with anyone so I get it. A girl walks in telling me Professor Weasley is looking for me. I walk out of the common room and see her standing by the entrance.

"Hello Miss Andrews," Professor Weasley says.

"Hello Professor," I mumble.

"Well, I wanted to check to see if you got in safely. I hope this school year will not be as interesting as it was last year," She raises her eyebrows.

"The plan is not to be," I chuckle. She did not laugh and was examining my face. She looked concerned for some reason.

"Violet, you have been through a lot at your age. If you ever need anything please do not hesitate to come to me like you did last year," Professor Weasley rubs my shoulders in a caring way. I nod and give her a smile. She sighs and walks away looking back at me. I hear Poppy jump behind me and she is giggling.

"Let's go, get ready for the opening feast," She grins. We ran back into our room and changed. I tie my yellow and black tie. I walked up to the mirror to make sure everything was in place. Poppy steps next to me adjusting her tie.

"We are going to be late!," She says, grabbing my arm. We run into the Great Hall and see everyone sitting at their house tables. I scan the room to see Emma in her red uniform staring at the Slytherian table. She must be staring at Sebastian so I look over to see Ominis, Imelda, and Sebastian sitting next to each other. Imelda is in the middle talking to Ominis. I look to see Sebastian talking to someone else. When he realizes I am looking he smiles and winks. I start blushing. I start walking to the table and he does not take his eyes off of me. Then I realize Ominis is looking in this direction as well. He must've realized I was here. We sat down at the Hufflepuff table.

Professor Black goes on about how he thought it would be a great idea for us to come on Friday so we have the weekend to explore the castle. Honestly, I think it must've been Professor Weasley's idea and he is just taking the credit. He would never come up with something this smart. He gives his speech and the first years get sorted into their houses. I smile seeing the new young Hufflepuffs. I remember I came in last year as a fifth year and came in late with Professor Fig. I can remember all the stares from other students and annoyance of Professor Black. He tells us to enjoy the weekend before school starts Monday. Students start leaving the Great Hall and some are staying to catch up with their friends from other houses. I look over to see Emma and Sebastian talking. Emma is laughing at whatever Sebastian said.

"Just remember who he had his eyes on," Poppy whispers in my ear. I smile because she is right he looked at me throughout the entire meal. I see Garreth walking over to our table with a giant grin on his face/ Poppy starts blushing immediately and I whisper, "Don't blush too much or he will notice," I giggle because she started to turn even redder than before.

"Hello my friends," He smiles.

"Hello," Poppy mumbles, still blushing. Garreth looks at her and smirks.

"Well since Professor Black is so great," He mockingly states, "The Gryffindor sixth and seventh years are having a party. Gryffindors know how to party and I wanted to invite you guys because you have to have an invite from a Gryffindor to even get in the party," Garreth says.

"A party! I have never been to one!," Poppy says excitedly.

"Well, this is the best party to start with huh?" He smirks. She nods and has a smile on her face.

"Who else is invited?" I question him because I am curious if Sebastian got invited. I was noisy. I need to know if he is coming. Garreth looked at me funny when I asked him and then he realized who I was asking about.

"Emma invited Sebastian so he will be coming, and Ominis of course is coming because I invited him. Also, all the Gryffindors like Leander, Natty and Cressida," He says.

"Oh?" I question, gritting my teeth as I force a smile. "Great! Can't wait." A lump formed in my throat, I felt my eyes burn with anger. Of course Sebastian was going to be there and of course Emma invited him. I let out a sigh, Poppy looking over at me with a warm smile.

"Not even a day in and we are already going to our first party!" She exclaimed, her excitement blinded her from picking up on my distress. Or was she more excited that the invitation was from Garretth Weasley. Poppy started to twirl her hair and spin. Garetth had raised an eyebrow at her but I noticed a smile creep on his face as he watched Poppy. She had no idea he was looking at her.

We made our way back to the Hufflepuff quarters, eagerly unpacking the rest of our items and choosing what to wear to our first party. I went through my clothing and felt conflicted on what to wear. A part of me wanted to impress Sebastian but the other part of me just wanted to be myself. As I rummage through my collection of skirts, dresses and pants I notice Poppy had gone pale in the face, almost as if she had seen a ghost.

"Poppy, what's wrong?" I go over to her. She was looking through the same suitcase she had been messing with back her grandmothers, she shut it quickly and swallowed hard. Looking at me with a panicked expression.

"I may er..I may have lost something." I squint my eyes at her and then it hits me.

"Poppy do not tell me you smuggled that Niffler here!"

"I couldn't leave Gran at home! I mean-" She began to mumble and went on explaining herself. I knew it.

"After your grandmother specifically told you not to?" I struggle not to smile at her. We begin to get ready for the party. Nothing would stop us from having a good night, not Sebastian, not Emma, not even a Niffler on the loose in the Castle. Everything was going to be great.