Me and the Devil: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter SEVENTY - Ripples

(for after the page break: Nocturnal Waltz - Johannes Bornlöf)

Taking Ominis' arm, the two of us wound down the stairs, back to a reality that was altogether lonely and not as lonely anymore.

We returned to the common room and I spotted Sebastian sitting on the back of one of the velvet chairs, teetering precariously. A Slytherin girl with dark black hair was standing a bit too close, hand nearing his arm behind his back where he couldn't see as she giggled across the room to her friends.

I could feel my heart beat faster and was about to say something as we approached when Ominis spoke for me.

"I believe he's already spoken for my dear."

The girl startled, wide glazed eyes snapping to mine before pouting and shuffling over to a group of giggling seventh years. 

Sebastian nearly fell off the chair as his head whipped around to us. His smile wider than it should be and his eyes hazy. 

"BARLOWE. OMINIS. I MISSED YOU TWO."

"We've been gone all of maybe twenty minutes Sebastian. How much have you had to drink since we left?"

Sebastian grinned and held up two fingers. "Only three more goblets." 

Ominis just stood still and took a deep breath.

"Where did Lucan go?"

"The little punk check-mated my knight and won the whole thing. Said he was going to bed on a high note."

"Don't you mean your King?"

Sebastians head lulled to the side as he squinted and crinkled his nose.

"Nnnnnnnn- Yes."

Ominis pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose.

"I'm SO glad you're back though." Sebastian squeezed my shoulder and blinked quickly to clear what I could only imagine to be a very shifting room. His hand shot in the air. "HEY CAN WE GET ANOTHER ROUND OF GOBLETS OVER HERE? PRETTY PLEASE?"

"Sebastian, hush!" I placed a finger to his lips but he only pretended to bite it and my eyes flicked upwards.

"ANYBODY? M'LADY NEEDS A DRINK!"

"I don't actually. It's ok lets-"

"GARRETH!" Sebastian's voice cracked as his head swayed and I pulled a hand over my face, feeling the vicarious embarrassment like a wave.

My shoulders drooped back next to Ominis.

"This can't get any worse can it?"

Ominis groaned. "Of course it can. Give him a minute."

As if on cue, Sebastian moved a foot to stand but it tangled in the arm of the chair and he toppled over, bringing the entire seat with him with a loud crash. After a quick shake of his head he was back on his feet and waving to the room. "I'm alright! Those chairs. Nasty things. Ha. Ha."

Ominis had pulled his hands from the bridge of his nose and wound them around Sebastian's shoulders, wand tucked between one of his fingers.

"Come on Sebastian. We are going to get some wonderful fresh air."

"A night walk?" Sebastian beamed.

"Yes. A night walk. Atley, could you take his other arm please? I'd rather like to keep him upright."