the lakes

The Slytherin common room is overflowing with students from all years and houses, all in various stages of merriment. It is the end of the school year, and out of all the festivities taking place across the castle, the one in the dungeons is certainly the largest and liveliest.

Sloane is only there because Sebastian invited her, and no one is about to argue with seventh-year Sallow. It is a comical moniker, one that had been bestowed upon him after the first-years were regaled with stories of Sebastian Sallow and his many adventures with his lady love, Siobhan Sloane. The two have quite the reputation at Hogwarts-nothing too nefarious, but she's been the subject of rumors since her abrupt arrival two years prior. Lately, the worst thing she hears about herself is how a professor has caught her and Sebastian locked in a passionate embrace someplace they don't belong. Not that they will need to worry about sneaking around for much longer.

In the morning, after the graduation ceremony, Sloane and her fellow seventh-years will be departing Hogwarts. It is bittersweet, but she is ready to start the new adventure of her life, one that includes Sebastian. The two have had the plan to stay together for ages, recently exchanging engraved posy rings to solidify their commitment to one another. The future is imminent, but she isn't afraid, not when she knows he'll be there by her side every step of the way.

"Fancy meeting you here."

"Speak of the devil," Sloane smiles into her cup of illicit drink as Sebastian appears at her side, immediately wrapping an arm around her waist and leaning down to press a kiss to her cheek.

"Me?" he teases, grinning against her skin.

"You know it."

His fingers trail up her waist, softly tickling her as he moves his lips to her ear, hot breath circling her neck. "I can't wait until we're alone."

Her chest swells with excitement for not just the night that is to come, but the morning, and every tomorrow that will follow. A tingle runs up her spine, and it isn't the fire whiskey that causes it.

"Seeing as it's our last evening here," she glances at him out of the corner of her eye. "Perhaps we should make the most of the facilities."

"The Room?" he asks, referring to her Room of Requirement in the Astronomy tower. She shakes her head. Even if they wanted to, she has already said her goodbyes to Deek and instructed him and Professor Weasley to find a student worthy of taking over the space. Sebastian hums in thought. "Impatient for my attention?" he jokes. "Good thing my room is just down the hall."

"Not your room," she responds, rolling her eyes. No matter how hard he tries, they never manage to trick the enchanted staircases in their prospective common rooms. Sloane has an idea of where they can go. "The lake."

Sebastian's eyebrows twitch up in surprise, but his expression quickly morphs into one of excitement. It is easy to see his imagination running through all the possibilities.

"It seems my devious ways are rubbing off on you, my dear," he murmurs, daring to press a quick kiss to the column of her throat. He is never one to shy away from public displays of affection, but at least all the other partygoers are too preoccupied to pay attention. "Are you not worried about getting caught?"

Sloane shakes her head. "Everyone will be too busy to notice two students frolicking in the lake."

"Frolicking?" he chuckles. "Is that what you want to call it?"

"Should I scandalize you by being more specific?"

"Darling, I wish for you to scandalize me always."