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

Chapter Eighteen: A Proper Introduction & Ominis Receives a Howler

Sebastian lingered outside Professor Binns's classroom, hoping to intercept Ominis after his History of Magic class. He also vaguely recalled Ominis mentioning that Damien was in his class. It would be an excellent opportunity to 'properly introduce' them, as he'd suggested.

Ominis emerged through the door first, his wand outstretched, its tip glowing red, as always. He made a sharp turn.

"Ha!" Sebastian burst forward with a wicked grin, cutting off his escape from the classroom. 

Ominis merely rolled his eyes. "I had a feeling it was you."

"Thought you'd appreciate a wake-up after class. Dull, as usual?"

Ominis sighed. "When is it not?"

Sebastian waited for a lull in the stream of students before peering through the doorway. The classroom was empty save for Professor Binns. He frowned. "Where's Damien?" The question slipped out before he could stop it. Damn. 

Luckily, Ominis didn't seem the least bit perturbed. He simply resumed walking. "Oh? Was he absent today?"

"I didn't see him leave." Sebastian fell into step beside him.

"Hm. I don't know what to tell you." Ominis wove effortlessly through the crowded corridor, sidestepping a group of students engrossed in a game of Gobstones. Sebastian recognized one of them instantly. It was Duncan Hobhouse.

Leaning in, he murmured into Ominis's ear, "It's Duncan."

Ominis's face twisted into a mischievous grin. Sebastian loved it when his face did that. And then, without missing a beat, he called out for all to hear, "Once a coward, always a coward! Just ask Duncan Hobhouse!"

Sebastian barely stifled his laughter as Duncan spluttered in protest, "That's not fair!", but by then, they were already bolting down the hallway, their footsteps swallowed by the dull roar of their fellow schoolmates' conversations ricocheting off the castle walls.

They didn't stop until they reached the courtyard, where Ominis, breathless and triumphant, declared, "Ah, balance is restored to the world." He doubled over, shaking with laughter.

Sebastian joined in, drinking in the crisp autumn air. The trees, now ablaze with gold, rustled in the breeze. He inhaled deeply, drawing his robes tighter around himself to combat the chill. 

"How much time do you have before your next class?" Sebastian asked, still grinning.

"Twenty or so minutes."

"Care for a game of Exploding Snap?"

"It's been awhile since you've asked me that. You still have your cards?"

"Of course I do," Sebastian said. He pulled his knapsack off his shoulder and stuck his hand inside, revealing the cards with a flourish, more for himself than for Ominis. Obviously. 

They settled on the lawn across from the Summoner's Court platform. As Sebastian lowered himself onto the grass, he did a double take. Damien was mid-game, facing off against what looked like Grace Pinch-Smedley.

An odd sense of déjà vu crept over him. Last year, he'd done the very same, although he had been flirting with Grace, rather shamelessly, while playing. Part of him had hoped to throw her off her game, just once, and finally secure a win. The other part? Well, at the time, he had to admit, she'd been rather nice to look at.

Now? Well... now his eyes were firmly fixed on Damien's arse.

So.

He gave his head a brisk shake.