The Unwanted Malfoy Heiress

Thirteen: An Unexpected Field Trip

Sebastian

It had been a week since he dueled alongside Anastasia, but ever since then he had been growing ever more distracted, especially by what she said before they had dinner in the Great Hall: I'm more than interested in both you and Ominus. When they didn't have classes together, he ruminated over that, and when they did, she seemed to act like she did not just suggest a completely taboo arrangement between the three of them.

So it was that when Professor Weasley got him out of detention polishing the trophies by hand in the Trophy Room under Madam Scribner's very watchful eye, that Anastasia's invitation to give her the grand tour of Hogsmeade came as a complete surprise.

Ominus caught up to him on his way to Herbology, wand held out so he could see magically, and he asked, "Where an earth are you wandering off to?"

"Believe it or not, Professor Weasley got me out of detention with Scribner so I could give the new girl the grand tour of Hogsmeade today," He informed him. "Her personal request."

Ominus smirked, "Sure, Bastian. Keep telling yourself that Ana favors you more. I have social breeding on my side."

"Ouch. Wow, you really can turn on those pureblood prejudices when it suits you, Oms," Sebastian chuckled. "If I thought you weren't joking, I might have been insulted by that. Besides, she hinted last week that she fancies you just as much."

Ominus rose an eyebrow. "Oh? How intriguing. Well, as much as I would love to hash out our prospective love lives, I have magical plants to play with and pray they won't try to steal my wand at the first opportunity."

"Ah yes, of course. I'll see you around?"
"Naturally."

They left one another then, and Sebastian waited for Anastasia to show herself by the south entrance that led out to the flying class courtyard. She finally did show herself half an hour later and knew she just got out of Transfiguration class.

She was dressed in a Slytherin girls uniform of course, but she wore a costly blend of rose oil and what smelled like lily of the valley mixed in, and she looked just as pleased to see him.

"Professor Weasley really made this whole song and dance on the high points of this all wizarding village on the castle's doorstep," She explained. "I didn't have the heart to argue with her that wizarding Times Square in New York City is infinitely superior, I am certain."

Sebastian couldn't help but smile. He swore that he had never smiled so much before this witch dropped into his life. What was wrong with him? "Oh, I wouldn't know, I've never traveled outside England before. But Hogsmeade has its charms. There is no denying that."

She shrugged. "Perhaps. Still, I do wish the school would let us take a carriage rather than forcing us to walk."

"Hey, not all of us are so privileged, Princess. I think you'll have to make do."

She socked him in the arm playfully. "So says my charming escort."

"Uh huh. Let's go. We're burning daylight as it is."

They stepped outside, and it was a perfect fall day that was warm with a hint of that Indian summer Scotland had been experiencing for a few weeks now. Still, it was nice to get out of the castle for a change and stretch his legs. His companion walked beside him, taking in the sights as he relayed what he knew of the scenery around him, especially where the best places were to catch lace wing flies for future batches of polyjuice potion.

A thestral drawn carriage drove by them driving past the school, and he supposed it was time to talk about them, "You don't seem put off by the thestrals, it seems."