He Couldn't Be That Bad? // Sebastian Sallow and You (spicy)

15. Defense Against Whispers

It's the first day of classes since my fall in the Owlery and I couldn't dread it more. The way everyone in the common room is looking at me. Treating me with pity and platitudes. It reminds me of the end of fifth year when Fig died. I hate it, and all the rawness it stirs up in my heart.

Many of the students from our house wished me luck on my first day back, lots of people wrote cards. But every single person from Slytherin house is wearing a pin; I don't know who made them, but it's a picture of Leander with a bright red X over his face.

Besides myself, the only one not wearing it was Sebastian and that's because I made him take it off.

"I promise, I'm alright." I try to take the book bag back, but Sebastian has already slung it over his shoulder.

"Excellent. Then you'll be even better if I carry these for you." Sebastian tilts his head at me, giving me a cocky grin.

I return a flat look and shove the crutch under my arm. "Fine. But only to the first class."

Sebastian swipes a scone from a tea set in the common room and says with a mouth full. "You can't tell me what to do."

"Can't I?" I challenge back. But I'm not actually upset with him. He's the only one I'd even want treating me so tenderly, but with everyone else walking on eggshells around me, it's enough to send me over the edge.

His brown eyes are watching me keenly, "like you'd be able to catch me." Sebastian huffs at the wooden crutch, and holds open the door to the common room for me.

I'm still getting used to the crutches and navigating the stairs does require a little more help than I'm eager to admit.

The common room is nothing but stairs, the whole castle is nothing but stairs. I'm winded and sore just from my morning routine to get out the door.

But to my utter surprise, my roommates were more than kind in helping me get ready for school. Imelda brushed my hair since my arm is too sore to lift, and Nerrida and Zedra helped pick my clothes. After much back and forth, they helped me into a loose blouse with my Prefect pin secured to my sling so it didn't tear my shirt. And trousers so I can have my knee propped up if I need.

They had offered to accompany me through the day, helping with bags, but I think they mostly wanted to make sure no one messed with me.

Or as Zedra so lovingly put, "finish the job."

But Sebastian insisted he be the one to escort me, and all the students give us a wide berth as I hobble along, up and out of the common room.

"You sure you don't want to just Floo there?" Sebastian has a strong arm around my waist as I very, painfully slowly, ascend the stairs.

We're only a quarter of the way there and my knee is throbbing so much I'm only able to take them one at a time. Never putting weight on my bad leg for long.

I stop. Unfortunately, I'm getting more stares of pity and side long glances the longer I take. "Fine, let's just Floo there." I finally conceded.

"Finally." He groans and swipes his arm under my knees, scooping me off my feet.

"This is unnecessary." Struggling to hold an arm around his shoulders and make sure I don't drop the crutch. I can't help but hide my face and my smile as he totes me up the rest of the stairs.

At least this way people watching won't have a show for long. Before it would have been lunch by the time we reached the top.

Sebastian gingerly deposits me at the top of the stairs by the green Floo Flame. "Defense Against The Dark Arts."