Whispers of Mischief | Sebastian Sallow

Beautiful place, am I right?

As you walked, your mind wandered, revisiting the countless adventures you had shared with Sebastian. Sneaking out of the dorms, exploring forbidden places, each escapade filled with adrenaline and thrill. Sebastian's words from your first encounter resonated in your mind: "If you want to get the most out of your time at Hogwarts, you're going to need to break the rules now and then. Whether it's joining a secret dueling club or sneaking into the Restricted Section of the library. You just have to be clever enough not to get caught." His words echoed in your mind. "Not get caught," you thought. 

A soft giggle escaped your lips as you recalled the mischievous exploits, the times you had been caught, and the moments that had made it all worthwhile. Sneaking out to play wizarding chess in the Undercroft or raiding the kitchen for late-night snacks, the memories flooded your thoughts. You were always surprised at Sebastian's resourcefulness, over and over. The way he had discovered the hidden entrance to the kitchen, and that you had to tickle the pear in the portrait for it to open. Or how he managed to find a secret passageway through a camin that led to an abandoned room. Lost in your recollections, the sound of Sebastian's voice suddenly pulled you back to the present. "We're here," he announced.

You had stopped in front of an unassuming door, its worn wood made the door look like any other normal door in the castle. You could feel yourself starting to get annoyed, did Sebastian really drag you all this way, to a common classroom? Sebastian's gaze met yours, a conspiratorial smile spreading across his face. With a surge of anticipation, he reached for the handle, his fingers brushing against the cool metal. As he pressed down, a sense of surprise washed over him, his brows rose at the realization that the door wasn't locked. It swung open with a faint creak.

Your breath caught in your throat as the door revealed its secret and your mouth fell open. Before you lay a vast indoor pool, its expanse stretching out in the middle of the room like a shimmering oasis. The dark blue water sparkled under the soft glow of the room, rippling with peaceful beauty. Your eyes widened in awe as you took in the mesmerizing sight.

Golden sink heads lined the perimeter of the pool, their gleaming fixtures reflecting in the water. The air carried a faint scent of chlorine, mingling with the invigorating aroma of dampness and tranquility. And with an eager step, you followed Sebastian into the room, your gaze darting left and right, eager to absorb every detail. On the left wall, is a stunning painting of a mermaid. With each passing moment, the enchanting depiction seemed to come alive, she seemed to be smiling at the two intruders. Maybe it was the subtle play of shadows and light lending an illusion of movement, or maybe the painting was hexed, just like many other portraits at Hogwarts.

Beyond the majestic pool, a grand window framed the scene, inviting the moonlight to seep through its glass panes. The pale beams of lunar light danced upon the water's surface. The moon's silvery glow mingled with the dark blue depths, giving birth to an ethereal tapestry of shimmering reflections.

There was a chandelier, suspended from the ceiling, Sebastian, however, chose not to illuminate the chandelier, leaving the space draped in a delicate twilight that added to the peaceful and mysterious ambiance.

Lost in the moment, you were jolted back to reality as a soft hand gently closed your still-open mouth. A rush of embarrassment flushed your cheeks, and you turned away, sheepishly avoiding Sebastian's amused eyes. His chuckle resonated through the room, a sound that blended with the symphony of the surroundings. As he released his hold on your chin, you looked up, meeting his gaze once more.

"Beautiful place, am I right?" Sebastian remarked, proud of how amazed you were by this place. You nodded in agreement, unable to contain the awe that swelled within you. "It truly is beautiful," you affirmed, your voice filled with wonder and curiosity. The question escaped your lips before you could stop it, "How come I didn't know about this place?" you asked, your eyes searching his for an answer.

"It's only for prefects, apparently. Unfair, I know," he responded. A brief silence hung in the air, heavy with unspoken possibilities. And then, with a flirtatious undertone, he added, "But now, this place is just for us." He said with a slight spark in his eyes.

You smiled, eager to enter the pool and immerse yourself in its refreshing waters. The anticipation filled you with excitement as you approached the pool, ready to embrace the sensation of swimming.

But as you neared the water's edge, a sudden realization crashed upon you like a heavy brick. "Sebastian," you began, your voice tinged with disappointment, "we didn't bring any swimsuits... I don't even have one." The realization dampened your spirits, it was a cruel twist of fate that such a beautiful place couldn't be fully enjoyed due to this oversight.