Like Moths to a Flame // Sebastian Sallow x Male MC [Book One]

Chapter Fifteen: Ghost of Our Love

The early morning sun streamed through the window in the Great Hall, casting warm rays of light on Sebastian's tired face. Sebastian sat alone at the end of the Slytherin table picking at a blueberry scone. As expected, he hadn't slept a wink last night, thinking incessantly about everything he had, and hadn't, learned. 

He yawned and rubbed his eyes. He had been the first one here this morning, but now there were a smattering of students sitting at the Ravenclaw table whispering amongst themselves.

He was taking another bite of his scone when someone approached him from behind.

"Good morning, Sebastian," Damien said, unexpectedly sitting beside him on the long bench. He set down a plate of steaming hot bacon.

Sebastian's pulse suddenly took flight. He swallowed frantically, then stuffed another bite of scone in his mouth to hide his reaction. Everything was fine.

"I was hoping to see you today," Sebastian said, once he finished swallowing, trying not to choke on the massive bite he'd taken. "Are you alright?"

"Perfectly fine. Although, it seems like Ominis isn't exactly fond of me," he said, shrugging.

"My apologies. I should have known he'd find out that I showed the Undercroft to you." Ominis knew everything, after all. 

Well, at least Damien didn't seem too put-out. "Did he give you a hard time?" he asked.

Sebastian swiped a piece of bacon from Damien's plate. "Nothing I couldn't handle."

"Oh, by all means," Damien said with a chuckle.

Sebastian grinned back with a full mouth. "Don't mind if I do."

"What are you up to tonight?" Damien said, breaking off a piece of Sebastian's scone and popping it in his mouth in reprisal.

"Astronomy, then catching up on some assignments, I suppose. Why do you ask?"

Damien lowered his voice in a conspiratorial manner. "Are you up for an adventure?"

Sebastian was suddenly hot all over. "An adventure, eh?"

"Yes, I found an old map in the Owlery awhile back, and I've been wanting to follow it. I think it leads into the Forbidden Forest."

"Another map? Intriguing. Where do you find these things?" Sebastian asked cheekily.

"Oh, you know. Lying around."

Sebastian laughed. "You seem to have a knack for stumbling into adventure, like a Niffler to shiny objects."

"A what?"

"Hmm, I suppose we haven't studied Nifflers in Care of Magical Creatures yet this year. Professor Howin is slacking. You're friendly with Poppy, right?"

He nodded. 

"Ask her some time. I'm sure she has one she can introduce you to. She's probably named it and everything." Sebastian chuckled, then rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "But in regards to the map, I'm certainly up for an adventure if you are." 

Act casual, Sebastian. Calm, cool, casual. Yes, yes, good. 

Damien grinned. "Great, meet at the entrance of the Forbidden Forest at midnight?"

"It's a date," Sebastian said, immediately regretting the joke. That wasn't casual, you fool! Look what you've done. Damien's face was now a striking shade of red. 

But Sebastian didn't have further time to chastise himself as a group of older Slytherins chose that moment to wandered over to the table. They were now glaring at Damien, seemingly miffed that a Ravenclaw was sitting at their table.