evermore || sebastian sallow

chapter 10 - first day, year 6

chapter 10 - first day, year 6

I was delaying the inevitable, staring at the bathroom mirror inside our common room.

Everyone knew. Everyone.

Not my betrothal to Ominis, but my ancestor being Rowena Ravenclaw. It was a mystery how word got out, but considering there were people at my ball who went to Hogwarts too, I wasn't surprised. Usually, my family would've done everything in their power to keep the secret, but they purposely let word go out.

Apparently it was good for our social image. Now more than ever because of the alliance with the Gaunts.

I begged to differ. Arriving at Hogwarts last night was a nightmare. Everyone stared at me like I was someone they didn't know. It wasn't the same awestruck stare they gave me when I walked in during the sorting ceremony night last year. It was the kind that made you feel small, the kind that forced you to feel lesser than you were, eyes everywhere, judging.

I would defend myself but I couldn't fight against everyone. For the first time since arriving at Hogwarts, I felt helpless.

I never wanted people to know except my closest friends, but hey, whatever benefited my family most I guess. Nevermind what I was going through. Nevermind the consequences for me.

Even the Grey Lady—Helena Ravenclaw's ghost—never said anything about our family line! She was set on keeping it all a secret. Something about an Unbreakable Vow she made with her secret lover. But even if she broke that vow as a ghost, she couldn't die again.

Whispers followed me in every corner. I couldn't even get peace inside our common room because everyone gossiped about me.

I heard some classmates call me a fraud, that I couldn't possibly be that good with my wand work, or that I was going to be a teacher's pet from now on, or that I was just another rich socialite bitch. Talk about double-standards. No one thought of that about Ominis. Some even said I only won Ravenclaw the House Cup last year because of my status. Even some Ravenclaws were saying that, as if I didn't do them a favour. The professor's didn't even know about my heritage then!

The common room was completely empty now. I refused to get up this morning while everyone else was getting ready. I needed to be alone and collect my thoughts. If I didn't leave now, I was going to be late for my first day in Charms.

I sighed heavily, tucking hair behind my ear. I adjusted my blue and bronze tie, combing my loose hair one last time. I adjusted my shirt collar, tightening my tie to hide the bruise I gained on my collarbone from my last training session back home.

Then I dusted some non-existent lint off my Ravenclaw robes, gave myself more pep talk in the mirror, then left.

It was now or never.

Sebastian's Perspective

Class was about to start and Y/n wasn't even here yet. I was starting to get worried. She was always punctual, never late.

She was the talk of the school since our first night at Hogwarts yesterday. I tried my best to contain my anger at anyone who dared speak badly about her just because she kept her heritage a secret. I've called out a few of them. At least, the ones I've overheard in the halls, and even in class right now.

I was a complete idiot for being the first one to make her feel like that. On her birthday too out of all days for Merlin's sake. I told her to heal last summer, but my own damages added more salt to her wound. There wasn't a day I didn't regret the words I said.