In the Shadows of Romance/Sebastian Sallow x MC

Chapter Twelve

Poppy, Natty, Anne and I were all gathered at a table in Hogsmeade. It had been a long few weeks, one thing that had made it long was getting my brother on speaking terms with me once more. The four of us had our own problems whether he be studying, brothers, or just stress and so we had agreed to come here to shop and get butterbeers together. It was just shy of October and we had two months before the infamous Yule Ball but that didn't stop our conversation from flowing to the dance.

"Do you have someone in mind, Natty?" Poppy giggled over the butterbeer.

Natty shook her head. "No, but I have time. Do you have someone you want to ask you?"

Poppy blushed. "I do."

"Well don't just leave us hanging, tell us more." Anne practically yelled over a giggle of her own.

Poppy looked down at the table, blushing hard. "Well it's hard to say when he's related to one of you."

"Oh Merlin, it's not Sebastian is it?" Anne gagged. "You and my brother would make for a horrid couple I'm sorry to say."

I felt the smile I held on my face dip in the slightest. Sebastian wasn't mine to have, I had Ominis, but knowing someone else had their eye set on him had me feeling uncomfortable. I hate Ominis, Sebastian was not mine to have.

"Ew, no." Poppy laughed and then was back to looking bashful as she continued. "I have eyes for Icarus."

"What?" My head snapped over to her. "My brother?"

Poppy nodded.

"That's the sweetest!" Anne sighed in content.

I smiled. "Well I just may have to play matchmaker."

"You're not mad?" Poppy asked.

"No, why in Merlin's name would I be mad?" I questioned. "I think the two of you would make the cutest couple. And now that I think about it, he does have a soft spot for you. I see him become more proper with you, more outspoken like he's trying to impress you with his words."

"I have noticed the same." Natty laughed. "I just assumed that was how he was with everyone."

I shook my head. "You should have seen him with Sebastian, those two don't get along well."

"And what of Ominis?" Natty asked. "I assume he's alright with your relationship with the Slytherin."

"He is." I answered. "He has stated that Ominis would be his first and only choice for me.

"I can see why." Anne laughed. "My brother is a hard man to like even in his best of times. I don't see how he and Ominis are friends, their friendship is based on opposites attract."

"That they are." And as if on cue the two men walked in as if summoned by Merlin himself. They were opposites down to the way they looked side by side. Ominis was the light where Sebastian was the darkness and their personalities were almost similar to their looks. Though Ominis was standoffish with me and my brother at first he is a respectful, soft spoken wizard who has always tried to atone for his family's dark arts. Sebastian on the other hand was brash and did not fear going down the dark path.

"Ladies." Sebastian greeted us with a grin as the two walked up to our table, Ominis finding me immediately and dipping his head down to press a soft kiss to my temple. "Whatever are you talking about?"

"Hello, darling." Ominis whispered to me.

"Who we want as our dates to the Yule Ball." Poppy laughed. "Though Echo doesn't count since she already has her date."

"But that won't stop me from getting my brother to ask you, Poppy."

She blushed under my words as Anne and Natty laughed.

"And what of you two?" Ominis asked.

"Undecided." Natty answered as Anne spoke. "I will be going by myself, the man I wish to attend the ball with is already smitten with another. I guess that's what happens when I miss two years of Hogwarts."

"Don't say that." I told her. "Maybe things will turn out for the best and he will realize his feelings for you."

She smiled at me and shook her head. "I believe the woman he is smitten with will have to decide her own fate with him."

"Is she playing him along?" Natty inquired.

Anne shook her head. "No, she's the sweetest girl and he was there for her when she needed him the most. He is a saint for such and I do not blame her for falling for him the way he fell for her. I do not blame her in the slightest, and I'm happy they have found each other." She was looking directly at me and I could practically hear her secret meaning as if she were telling me directly. She had been smitten with Ominis and I had taken him from her.

"You're too sweet." Poppy said. "I don't think I'd be as understanding if I were you. Just imagining Icarus being smitten with another bothers me. I'd surely try to ruin their relationship."

"A Hufflepuff like you wouldn't have the guts." Sebastian laughed as he dragged a chair to sit with us. "That's why you have us Slytherins. We'll make him feel the pain."

"That's my brother you're talking about, Seb." I narrowed my eyes at him as Ominis pulled a chair to join us as well. I had both Slytherin boys on either side of me and I felt myself fidget where I sat. "And Anne, I'm sorry to hear about the one you're smitten with."

I was honest with my words.

She smiled at me. "Maybe it will turn out for the best, regardless I am happy where I am at. Anyway, what are you boys doing here?"

"Ominis needed herbology supplies." Sebastian answered. "I was just bored."