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

23. Errant Errands

"Please?" I beg once we've zipped through the green Floo Flame and emerge into Hogsmead. "My grade is directly affected if I don't have a date."

"My happiness is directly affected if I have to sit through a ridiculous tea party." Sebastian scoffs, holding his pinky up like he's taking a sip.

Shops are just starting to open, energy for a day where students are off of class, it seems like every inch of Hogsmeade is already preparing. Rolled awnings are being unfurled over the storefronts, some of the shopkeepers are watering the flowers outside their windows, and the traveling minstrel is tuning his many floating instruments.

"I'll make it up to you." I say teasingly, bumping him with my hip as we walk down the cobblestone path. I toss a coin into the waiting hat of the minstrel player.

Sebastian's eyebrows bob at my suggestion. "I already have several ideas."

"I'll let you take me to the Yule Ball." I counter with a sly grin.

His face falls into a you've got to be kidding me stare. And he pushes the door to The Three Broomsticks open.

Morning light streams into the dark tavern, causing me to go temporarily blind from the drastic change in lighting. Once I adjust, we walk further inside. The place is mostly empty except for some people sitting by the bar and an old man napping by the fire. It's possible he'd slept the night there.

Sirona is behind the bar, preparing some morning tea for the other early risers. She greets us with a warm smile and gestures openly. "Good morning! Take a seat wherever you like."

To my surprise, Poppy and Lucan are sitting at the bar, tea and scones already placed before them. They have dark circles under their eyes, and look a little startled to see us.

"Well good morning you two." Sebastian croons, a smirk spreads across his mouth as he takes the stool directly beside Lucan. "Late night?"

Taking the stool beside Sebastian, I nudge him with my knee as I sit down. Like we're ones to throw stones about spending a night outside the castle together.

"We were scouting for poachers last night." Poppy counters quickly, her cheeks staining pink. "Lost track of time."

Sebastian pats his friend on the shoulder with a flat hand. "Diligent this one. I'm sure you have your hands full, Poppy."

Lucan and him exchange a knowing glance that Poppy doesn't see, but I can see a small circular bruise forming on Lucan's neck, just poking out of his collar. My guess is that they found some ways to pass the time waiting for their target.

Sebastian orders the same breakfast tea and scones for us and a sausage hand pie to split. He casually places his hand on my knee while we sit and wait.

His thumb is making passive strokes over me and I try not to get distracted by them when I lean forward to meet Poppy's sightline. "So how is your anti-poacher club going, Poppy?"

She sits up taller, her face blooming into a lovely smile. "We have twenty members now, and for our night raids, we can usually count on about five people to show consistently. We've set free more than one hundred animals so far."

I gawk back at her, "Poppy, that's amazing!"

"For your next mission, count us in." Sebastian says, surprising me.

"We have one tonight?" Lucan looks at Sebastian with raised eyebrows too. "We could use a duelist like you."

Recalling back, before I joined the dueling club, Sebastian was their undefeated champion. I'm not surprised that Lucan would find him an asset.