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

16. Spilling The Tea

We walk past the large fountain of the transfiguration courtyard, and Imelda and Adelaide help me as I hobble up the short flight of stairs into the classroom of "Enchanting The Home".

Wide golden columns hold up the domed palatial ceiling, a painting of a peaceful cloud blue sky framed with white feathery wings.

Statues of swans preen themselves on their pedestals, flapping their wings every so often to make themselves comfortable.

Portraits of beautiful ladies, and nymphs, and women picnicking in serene riverscapes align the walls in gilded frames.

The glass cabinet along the wall is stuffed with "living dolls" meant to help us practice with babies. I find them creepy and wholly dissatisfying to look at, and interact with.

Fake kitchen stations sit in rows along the front of class, but in the center of the room,

At the center of class, all the desks have been pushed together to make a long dining table. A lacey crisp tablecloth is draped over them all and there is a whole high tea set up.

Having skipped breakfast, I'm extra thankful today is a food day. Usually cooking in some fashion was fun, but now it seemed as though we didn't even have to make it.

The white tufted chairs are pulled into perfect place settings, but the stool I accio over to elevate my knee throws off the ambiance and aesthetic. Sicking out the end of the long line, but I'm happy to be on opposite sides from the teacher.

Natsai walks in class and my spirits lift. I'd love it if she sat next to me and we had a chance to clear the air. I wave and she begrudgingly comes over.

"I'm glad to see you are well again." Natsai says, but any warmth of her tone is gone. "And I want you to know I heard it was Leander who was the mastermind of your incident, and reported him to Professor Weasley. So you can stop with the pins."

"I didn't make the pins." I defend. "And I didn't report him for a reason. I don't want this ridiculous feud to be taken any further."

Natsai studies me through narrowed eyes. "But that's what honorable people do. Report wrongs when they see them. Or have you forgotten?"

Furrowing my brow I pivot in my chair to look up at her better. "What are you getting at?"

"Sebastian is dishonorable. And you continue to hang around him." Natsai says easily, like it's as obvious as the sky is blue.

"What about Leander?" I defend pointedly. "He was your dueling partner. And he's been an absolute arse with Ominis so far this year."

"Agreed, which is why I reported him." Natsai crossed her arms. "Can you say you've done the same with Sebastian? Who has undeniably done much worse?"

I can't believe what I'm hearing. I open my mouth to say something. A few times. But the words don't come. At this point I'm unwilling to say what I really want to if I don't want my friendship with Nattie to be irrevocably damaged. "Sebastian's past is a family matter."

"You and I both know he shouldn't be here." Natsai turned on her heel and opted to sit all the way down the table.

That bites at my heart a little and I continue to gape at her. But she sits straight and proud as she begins a conversation with Nellie Ogspire beside her.

No one wants to sit at the end where the teacher has placed herself at the head of the table, and the place settings fill up quickly at the far end towards me. With stragglers quickly trying to get a chair that isn't next to the scrutinizing eye of the Madame.

Imelda quickly slides into place at my left, and Adelaide and Nerrida sit across from us.

No one wants to sit by Imelda and the seat beside her long remains empty. Every time a girl chooses not to take it, is met with a sneer.