Sebastian
**
Gobstones—was all Sebastian heard Christmas morning as Anne's shriek of excitement disappeared into the background of his thoughts. The satchels of gobstones were resting in large boxes, surrounded by other satchels for their play. She remembered—he thought as he walked back up to the castle.
The nights spent in the Undercroft playing the game had seemed like wishful thinking after Anne had been cursed. No echoes of her cheering and jibes as he sulked for the umpteenth time at a loss.
Caroline had never participated in the game, gagging at the smell on his and Ominis' faces and robes after the first night they held their mini tournament.
"Are you sure we can't convince you?" Anne had asked with a dangerous glint in her eyes at breakfast.
"Absolutely not," she frowned, wrinkling her nose in disgust as she buried her face in the scent of the lemon and bergamot of her tea, "It will be a cold day in hell before I touch those infernal things."
He was shivering as he dropped off Anne at an international floo network seeing her off to Durmstrang wrapped in her new coat, exchanging gossip and laughter with her before promising to visit come spring.
It was late and cold—and she insisted on him returning to the castle and warming by the fire immediately before she stepped through the green flames.
The crunch of snow underneath his feet began to melt as he entered the clock tower courtyard, passing through the gates to peer up at the swinging pendulum. It swung to and fro, casting shadows along the walls and stone floor. It was an eerie place during the holidays, devoid of the usual hollers of students as they placed bets for Crossed Wands.
He paused his way back into the warmth of the castle's interior as he saw a flit of honey blonde hair above—was that Caroline? What was she doing in the clock tower?
Sebastian wracked his brain, unsuccessfully searching for any memory of Caroline attending his matches for Crossed Wands. He had been accepted in third year, a feat for any student, and had spent many nights perfecting spells in the Undercroft, dragging Caroline to practice with him.
**
"Sebastian, my Transfiguration essay is due tomorrow," she grumbled as he dragged her to the Undercroft from the library, commandeering her books under his arm for good measure.
"You finished that three days ago, I saw you in the common room," he frowned waving his hand to usher her in first.
"It's called a first draft, Sallow," she pouted, dusting off a box to sit.
He rolled his eyes, pulling off a few sheets and coughing at the cloud of dust as he mumbled, "More like the fourth draft..."
She threw him a withering glare as he held up his hands in apology. If she asked him his opinion, he thought she studied too much— but that was precisely the reason he sought her out. If anyone could help him win Crossed Wands, it was Caroline.
"Why exactly am I here?" She sighed, crossing her legs and leaning back to stare as he pulled various objects from the boxes and crates.
"I need you," he paused, dropping a box unceremoniously and pointed at her, "To use your transfiguration skills to help me practice dueling."
She groaned, moving to stand with a roll of her eyes, brandishing her wand at him, "You owe me for this, Sebastian Sallow." He simply nodded eagerly, standing back as she muttered various spells at the different objects, watching as the boxes, crates and knick knacks shifted in shape—expanding and contracting to her whim.
YOU ARE READING
Sins of the Father | Sebastian x OFC (Caroline Rookwood) | Ominis x Garreth
RomanceOnly fools would ever deign to consider that one could outrun the cost of a bargain. For Victor Rookwood, his deeds and dealings have become his daughter, Caroline's, to bear. For Ominis Gaunt? A centuries-old myth and whispers of a curse among the...
